OSHA Inspection: PLAINVILLE PLATING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Aug 14, 2023

Abate by

Sep 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,938 · Current $6,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  Main Plating Area:  On or about, and at times prior to February 17, 2023, employees were not provided with an eyewash station that was immediately accessible for emergency use in their work area. Metal parts were dipped and coated in corrosive liquid tanks that included, but were not limited to, 5 Acid Pickle (HCL); 20 Nitric Acid; 18 Sulfamate Nickel; and 1 Cyanide Descaler Strip in this area. The distance between a corrosive 18 Sulfamate Nickel tank and the eyewash station, measured to be approximately 33' apart and on the opposite side of the tank and was impeded by several other hazardous tanks employees had to walk around in order to gain access.

Issued

Aug 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,687 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air, that was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i., was used for cleaning purposes without effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.  Anodize Area:  On or about February 17, 2023, the employer failed to ensure that the air pressure in the air compressor gun was less than 30 pounds per square inch (psi) when employees cleaned dipped and coated metal parts with air that had a pressure of 57 psi. The apparatus had no chip guarding and was used without adequate personal protective equipment.

Issued

Aug 14, 2023

Abate by

Sep 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $21,875 · Current $10,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:   On or about, and at times prior to February 17, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees exposed to eye and skin injuries from splash hazards were using the necessary eye and face protection while either dipping metals in corrosive liquid tanks, transferring the solution, or while cleaning the tanks. Employees were exposed to sulfuric acid, cyanide, cadmium, nitric acid, and sulfamate nickel within the following locations of the facility:  a) Main Plating Area b) Anodizing Area   Plainville Plating Company, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1550057, Citation Number 1, Item Number 2 b, and was affirmed as a final order on March 23, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 21 Forestville Avenue, Plainville, CT 06062.

Issued

Aug 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,125 · Current $1,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(B): For electric equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, and likely to require examination, adjustment, servicing, or maintenance while energized, the width of the working space in front of electrical equipment was less than the width of the equipment or 762 mm (30 inches), whichever was greater :   Sulfuric Acid Anodize and Chromic Acid Anodize  Area:   a) On or about, and at times prior to February 17, 2023, a 220 volt disconnect switch that powered the Sulfuric Acid Anodize Tank 8 rectifier, R60, was not maintained to provide sufficient access to electrical equipment when a cart and cage placed approximately 15" in front of the panel blocked access to the tank in use.   b) On or about, and at times prior to February 17, 2023, a 220 volt disconnect switch that powered the Sulfuric Acid Anodize Tank 9 rectifier, R61, was not maintained to provide sufficient access to electrical equipment when metal pipes and hoses placed approximately 2" in front of the panel blocked access to the tank in use.   c)  On or about, and at times prior to February 17, 2023, a 220 volt three phase disconnect switch, powering various tanks on both the Sulfuric Acid and Chromic Acid sides of the anodize  line, was not maintained to provide sufficient access to the electrical panel when items were stored directly in front of it. This blocked access to the power for the tanks that were in use.  Plainville Plating Company, Inc. was previously cited for an equivalent Occupational Safety and Health Standard, 29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(i)(A), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1550057, Citation Number 1, Item Number 5, and was affirmed as a final order on March 23, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 21 Forestville Avenue, Plainville, CT 06062.

Issued

Aug 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:   Main Plating Area:  On or about February 17, 2023, the exit and exit discharge by Nickel Strike Tank 7 and Double C Flow Rinse Tank 14 was not kept free and unobstructed when containers were lined up along the aisle of Tank #14 and a 2" thick cord ran across the floor where employees were walking.