OSHA Inspection: POLYMAX THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS, LLC DBA POLYMAX TPE

Issued

2023-07-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-08-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10938.00 · Current $10000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):  A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA:  An effective hearing conservation program which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing of employees, and training of employees as detailed in the standard was not instituted by Polymax Thermoplastic Elastomers, LLC.  a)  On or about March 21, 2023, an employee working at production line 2 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 78.7 %  of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 78.7% is approximately 88.2 dBA. The sampling was performed for 466 minutes during one 8-hour shift on March 22, 2023. Zero exposure was assumed for the un-sampled period of time, 14 minutes.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2023-07-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-08-11 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10938.00 · Current $7500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(1): The employer did not assess the exposure of each employee who was or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3) of this section.  a)On or about March 21,2023, Polymax ThermoplasticElastomers, LLC dba Polymax TPE did not assess the exposure of its employees at the production line 1and 2 to respirable crystalline silica when unloading bags of vicron 25-11, vicron 31-6 which contains 0.5% to 0.7% of silica (quartz) as part of the plastic manufacturing process.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2023-07-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-09-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10938.00 · Current $7500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which described how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) would be met:  a) On or about March 21,2023, Polymax Thermoplastic Elastomers, LLC dba Polymax TPE did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which described how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) would be met. The employer did not develop or implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) that would describe or include at least the following:  1) Requirement for labeling and other forms of warning; 2) Safety data sheet availability; 3) Employee information and training; 4) A list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace;  5) Methods to inform employees of the hazards on non-routine tasks; and  6) Methods to provide other employer(s) access to safety data sheet; information on any precautionary measures and the labeling system used in the workplace.  Employee(s) were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to vicron 25-11, vicron 31-6 which contains 0.5% to 0.7% of silica (quartz), calcium carbonate, 1-butene, mineral oil, styrene, and 1-propene.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

2023-07-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-09-29 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) On or about March 21, 2023,  employees of Polymax Thermoplastic Elastomers, LLC  were exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to vicron 25-11, vicron 31-6 which contains 0.5% to 0.7% of silica (quartz), calcium carbonate, 1-butene, mineral oil, styrene, and 1-propene.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.