OSHA Inspection: CASELLA WASTE SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,929 · Current $5,415 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:   a)  Facility - On or about 4/26/23, employees voluntarily wore GVS Elipse half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing welding operations.  The employer did not provide respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 .   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user.   a)  Facility - On or about 4/26/23, employees voluntarily wear GVS Elipse half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing welding operations.  The employer did not develop and implement the necessary elements of a written respiratory protection program to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 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) Facility - On or about 4/26/23, employees voluntarily wear GVS Elipse half-mask air-purifying respirators while performing welding operations.  The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,696 · Current $4,085 Reduced

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 describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  a) Facility - On or about 4/26/23 , the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program for employee(s) who worked with and were exposed to materials such as, but not limited to Lawson Heavy Duty Cleaner (containing 2-butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide).  A written program should include descriptions of how the criteria for:  1)    Labeling and other forms of warning, 2)    Safety Data Sheets AND 3)    Employee information and training will be met.  Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Sep 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical in the workplace:  a)  Facility - On or about 4/26/23, the employer did obtain and maintain a copy of the SDS for Lawson Heavy Duty Cleaner, a corrosive material containing 2-butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard was introduced into their work area.  a) Facility - On or about 4/26/23, employees work with and are exposed to materials such as, but not limited to Lawson Heavy Duty Cleaner (containing 2-butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide).  Employees were not provided with information and training on the hazardous materials that they work with.  Employees shall be informed of the following:  1) The requirements of this section; 2) Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; AND 3) The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and Safety      Data Sheets.  Employee training shall include at least:  1) Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the      work area. 2) The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area. 3) The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures, appropriate work practices,     emergency procedures and personal protective equipment to be used. 4) The details of the employers Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of labeling systems, Safety      Data Sheets, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Sep 14, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for the extremities was not provided and used wherever chemical hazards are encountered that are capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption or physical contact.  a) Tote Washing Area - On or about 4/26/23, a Maintenance employee was washing garbage totes with Lawson Heavy Duty Cleaner (a corrosive chemical with a pH of 13) using a pressure washer.  The employee was not provided with, and required to use personal protective equipment that would cover their extremities.  ABATMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Sep 6, 2023

Abate by

Oct 10, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed, the date(s) of the hazard assessment, and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment:  a)  Facility - On or about 4/26/23, employees are required to wear PPE such as aprons, gloves, face shields, safety goggles, and respiratory protection.  The employer did not have a written certification to verify that a PPE hazard assessment had been performed.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED