OSHA Inspection: SPECIALTY PIPING PRODUCTS, LLC

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,795 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1):The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a) Fab shop II backside: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 232% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 96 (dBA) which is approximately 2.7 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 453-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.  b)  Fab shop II frontside: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 69.5% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 87.3 (dBA) which is approximately 1.3 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 444-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 36 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(1):When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  a) Fab shop II backside: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 232% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 96 (dBA) which is approximately 2.7 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 453-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program.  b)  Fab shop II frontside: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 69.5% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 87.3 (dBA) which is approximately 1.3 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 444-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 36 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(g)(1):The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  a) Fab shop II backside: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 232% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 96 dBA) which is approximately 2.7 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 453-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as required by the standard.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1):The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Fab shop II Welding and grinding: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 232% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 96 dBA) which is approximately 2.7 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 453-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not train each employee who was exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of the standard.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 21, 2023

Penalty

Initial $759 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.32(b)(6):29 CFR �1904.32(b)(6): The Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300A or equivalent) for the previous year was not posted between February 1st and April 30th.  a)Specialty piping products shop: On or about March 21, 2023 and at times prior thereto the employer had not posted the summary of work-related injuries and illnesses (OSHA Form 300A or equivalent) for the previous year was not posted between February 1st and April 30th.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(l)(1):The employer did not make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 and did not post a copy in the workplace:  a) Fab shop II Welding and grinding: On or about March 28, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to noise hazards at levels of 232% (equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average TWA of 96 dBA) which is approximately 2.7 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 85dBA). Results were based on a 453-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes period not sampled. The employer did not make available to affected employees' copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 and did not post a copy in the workplace.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(1):A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  a) Painting area: On or about March 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards by providing and requiring employees to wear tight fitting respirators when spray painting. The employer had not established and implemented a written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures for employees required to wear half face piece negative pressure respirators.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Painting area: On or about March 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards by providing and requiring employees to wear half-mask negative pressure elastomeric respirators when spray painting. The employer had not provided employees with medical evaluation to determine whether they were medically able to use respirators.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) Painting area: On or about March 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards by providing and requiring employees to wear half face tight fitting respirators when spray painting parts. The employer had not provided employees with fit testing prior to initial use of the respirators.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Painting area: On or about March 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards in that employees with facial hair were allowed to wear half facepiece tight-fitting respirators when spray painting. The facial hair came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or interfered with the valve function.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Painting area: On or about March 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards from wearing half-mask negative pressure respirator as required by the employer when spray painting. The employer did not provide employees with comprehensive, understandable respiratory protection training as required by the standard.

Issued

Jun 12, 2023

Abate by

Jun 23, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Fabrication and painting shops: On or about, March 21, 2023, and at times prior, thereto the employer exposed employees to chemical hazards in that employees were required to use products that contained hazards chemicals such as but not limited to different types of paint, compressed argon and carbon dioxide gases, compressed oxygen gas and compressed acetylene gas. The employer did not provide employees with hazard communications training as required by the standard.