OSHA Inspection: ALCHEMY PROCESSING LABORATORY, LLC

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Sep 19, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $6,250

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(h)(6)(ii)(d): Processing plants were not protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system or equivalent extinguishing system.   (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees were exposed to potential fire and explosion hazards due to liquid heptane being stored in a fire area of a building without a reliable water supply being present to meet probable fire demands.  Employees are using flammable liquids including but not limited to heptane, hexane, and methylene chloride in a building without a fire extinguishing system.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(h)(7)(i)(b): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 �F (37.8 �C), were dispensed into containers without the nozzle and container electrically interconnected:   (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards while transferring flammable liquids between containers in a manner to reduce volatile vapors which could ignite from sparks due to static electricity.  Employees transferred flammable liquids at several points in the production process by pouring liquid from one container to another without electrically interconnecting the containers.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $2,678

Hazardous substances 24602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used, when necessary, whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:  (a)  16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees were potentially exposed to skin absorption from solvents such as xylene and toluene while wearing nitrile gloves.  Xylene and toluene may be absorbed into the skin and cause dermatitis or defatting of the skin.  Nitrile gloves do not provide appropriate protection from xylene or toluene and anticipated breakthrough time is less than 60 minutes.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $6,250

Hazardous substances 1730191124602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not develop or implement a written respiratory protection program.  Employees use half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators with organic vapor cartridges while handling solvents in the production area.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730191124602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide medical evaluations to employees who were required to wear respirators prior to use of the respirator.  Employees are required to wear half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators with organic vapor cartridges while handling solvents.   Note:  The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730191124602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the respirator and the face.  Several employees on the production floor had facial hair which interfered with the sealing surface of the half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators used on site.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730191124602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees were not provided comprehensive and understandable training on use of respirators.  Employees wear half-face elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges while handling solvents but were not trained on use, maintenance, storage, or cleaning of the respirator.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730191124602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2): The employer did not implement a change schedule for respirators not equipped with an End of Service Life Indicator that would ensure cartridges were changed before the end of their service life:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not implement a change schedule for respirators not equipped with an End of Service Life Indicator.  Employees use half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators with organic vapor cartridges while handling solvents in the production area.  Employees are not provided with a change-out schedule for the organic vapor cartridges.  Note:  The employer may provide an air-purifying respirator provided the respirator is equipped with end-of-service-life indicators or a change schedule has been developed. Otherwise, the employer must provide an atmosphere-supplying respirator.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Oct 17, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,465 · Current $4,465

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(i): Equipment in hazardous (classified) location(s) was not approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that was or could be present:  (a)  16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that equipment used in areas designated as hazardous locations were approved for the hazardous location.  Equipment such as electrical wiring and outlets, reactors, and rotary evaporators were not approved for use in potential Class 1 Division 2 atmospheres.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Oct 17, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $5,358

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(d)(2): The employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine each employee's exposure to methylene chloride:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not perform initial monitoring to determine employee exposure to methylene chloride.  Employees use methylene chloride as a solvent in the extraction process.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 18, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(f)(3)(i): The employer did not implement procedures to detect leaks of methylene chloride in the workplace:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not implement procedures to detect leaks of methylene chloride in the workplace.  The employer has a "Voice Type Multifunctional Gas Detector" LEL monitor next to where the methylene chloride is stored, however such a monitor is not sensitive enough to detect leaks of methylene chloride until they approach the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health level of 2300 parts per million.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(g)(3)(i): The employer did not select and provide to employees, the appropriate atmosphere-supplying respirator specified in 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) and selected or used half masks:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide atmosphere-supplying respirators to employees working with methylene chloride.  Employees use approximately 14 gallons of methylene chloride for one batch process.  Employees are using half-face elastomeric air-purifying respirators with organic vapor cartridges while they handle methylene chloride.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(h)(1): Where needed to prevent methylene chloride induced skin or eye irritation, the employer did not provide clean protective clothing and equipment resistant to methylene chloride, at no cost to the employee, and/or did not ensure that each affected employee used it:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide protective gloves resistant to methylene chloride.  The employer provided nitrile gloves to employees for use while handling methylene chloride.  Nitrile gloves are not resistant to methylene chloride.  (b) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide protective clothing resistant to methylene chloride.  The employer provided cloth lab coats to employees for use while handling methylene chloride.  Cloth lab coats are not resistant to methylene chloride.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1052(l)(3)(i): The employer did not inform each affected employee of the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1052 and the information available in its appendices and/or how to access or obtain a copy of it in the workplace:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, employees handling methylene chloride were not provided training on the requirements of this standard, the information available in its appendices, or how to obtain a copy of this information in the workplace.  Employees use methylene chloride during the extraction process for certain products.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $6,250

Hazardous substances 17302590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide develop or implement a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.  Employees handle hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, methylene chloride and xylene.  Exposure to Methylene chloride may cause irritation of the eyes and skin; weakness, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness; numbness or tingling in the limbs; nausea; and is considered a potential occupational carcinogen.  Exposure to Xylene may cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, or throat; dizziness, excitement, drowsiness, incoordination, staggering gait; corneal vacuolization; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or dermatitis.

Issued

Jul 18, 2023

Abate by

Aug 11, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 17302590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  (a) 16800 Coal Creek, Arvada, CO 80007: On or about February 28, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide effective training to employees on hazardous chemicals in the work area upon initial assignment and whenever new hazards are introduced.  Employees handle hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, methylene chloride and xylene.  Exposure to Methylene chloride may cause irritation of the eyes and skin; weakness, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness; numbness or tingling in the limbs; nausea; and is considered a potential occupational carcinogen.  Exposure to Xylene may cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, or throat; dizziness, excitement, drowsiness, incoordination, staggering gait; corneal vacuolization; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or dermatitis.