OSHA Inspection: PIONEER INVENTION, INC.

Issued

2023-07-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-08-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3572.00 · Current $3572.00

Hazardous substances 1460173024602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1)(i): When the employer had assessed the workplace hazard(s) and determined that hazard(s) were present, the employer did not select and/or use the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:  (a)  11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not select gloves which would protect employees from hazards identified in a hazard assessment.  Employees use nitrile gloves when handling chemicals which are known to rapidly breakthrough or degrade nitrile material such as methylene chloride and hydrogen fluoride.    (b)  11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not select gloves which would protect employees from hazards identified in a hazard assessment. Employees use medical exam nitrile gloves in place of industrial strength nitrile gloves.  Medical exam gloves are not as thick as industrial strength gloves and the estimated breakthrough, permeation, or degredation time is reduced from laboratory studies for chemicals such as toluene and xylene.

Issued

2023-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2678.00 · Current $2678.00

Hazardous substances 2140

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:  (a)  11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide suitable facilities for immediate drenching or flushing of the eyes.  The plumbed emergency eyewash station, which was located next to a lab hood where corrosive materials such as potassium hydroxide were used, was disconnected and did not have water flowing to it.  (b)   11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not provide suitable facilities for immediate drenching or flushing of the eyes.  A sink designated as an emergency eyewash station had a standard faucet attachment and did not have appropriate plumbed attachments for use as an eyewash station.  The sink was blocked from immediate emergency access from the nearest laboratory hood by portable tables.

Issued

2023-07-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-08-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2678.00 · Current $2678.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1450(e)(1):Where hazardous chemicals were used in the workplace, the employer did not develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan which was capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals:  (a) 11111 W. 8th Ave, Lakewood CO 80215:  On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not develop a written Chemical Hygiene Plan or carry out the provisions listed in 1910.1450(e)(3)(i)-(viii), including but not limited to: standard operating procedures when hazardous chemicals were used in a laboratory setting; criteria that the employer will use to determine and implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals including engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices; and requirements that fume hoods and other protective equipment are functioning properly and specific measures that shall be taken to ensure proper and adequate performance of such equipment.  Employees use hazardous chemicals including but not limited to: methylene chloride, hydrogen fluoride, xylene, toluene, and potassium hydroxide.

Issued

2023-07-20 00:00:00

Abate by

2023-08-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 1730214024602590

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1450(f)(1):The employer did not provide laboratory employees with information and training to ensure that they were apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area:  (a)  11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, laboratory employees were not provided with information and training on chemical hazards in their work area.  Employees  were not provided with training on hazards of working with chemicals including but not limited to: methylene chloride, hydrogen fluoride, potassium hydroxide, toluene, and xylene

Issued

2023-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1450(f)(3)(v):Employees were not informed of the location and availability of known reference material on the hazards, safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals found in the laboratory including, but not limited to, safety data sheets received from the chemical supplier:  (a) (a)  11111 W 8th Ave, Unit A, Lakewood, CO 80215: On or about April 11, 2023, and at times prior, the employer did not inform employees on the location and availability of known reference materials for hazardous chemicals found in the laboratory.  The Safety Data Sheets kept on hand at Pioneer Invention, Inc. did not accurately reflect the current chemical inventory for the facility.