OSHA Inspection: UNIVERSAL METRICS, LLC

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $5,156 · Current $1,136 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(b)(9):A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction:  a) On or about May 18, 2023, a minimum clear space of three feet was not maintained on all sides of the spray booth.  Materials such as a storage cabinet containing bottles of extremely flammable products, cardboard boxes, and wooden chairs and brooms were stored directly against the spray booth walls or within three feet of the walls.

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $12,031 · Current $8,421 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1):General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  a) On or about April 27, 2023, and days prior the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to employees that were required to wear a respirator.

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.  a) On or about April 27, 2023, and days prior the employer did not ensure employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were fit tested prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator is used, and at least annually.  Proper fitting of respirators is crucial in order for respirators to work as they are designed to.

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $8,534

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:   On or about May 18, 2023, and days prior, employees performed work on the shop floor while being exposed to noise levels that equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or an equivalent dose of fifty percent, without a continuing and effective hearing conservation program that included training (both annual and initial) to inform employees about hearing protectors, audiometric testing and the effects of noise on hearing.  a) On May 18, 2023, an employee assigned to work in the welding department was exposed to a noise dose of 92.3.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 98.4 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 382 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 98 minutes.  b) On May 18, 2023, an employee assigned to work in the welding department was exposed to a noise dose of 87.1.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 89 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of  451 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 29 minutes.  c) On May 18, 2023, an employee assigned to work in the welding department was exposed to a noise dose of 90.3.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 89.2 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 492 minutes.  d) On May 18, 2023, an employee assigned to work on the M-Saw in the Saw Department was exposed to a noise dose of 80.8.  This does is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 88.4 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 479 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 1 minute.  Universal Metrics, LLC, was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.95(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1546432, citation number 1, item number 1d, and was affirmed as a final order on February 22, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at N93W14475 Whittaker Way, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,312 · Current $5,158 Reduced

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 April 27, 2023, employees were not provided training on  the hazardous chemicals they were exposed to within their work environment.  Employees working in departments such as but not limited to, the welding department, fabrication department and painting department were not made aware of the hazards associated with the chemicals they were required to use and fumes they were exposed to while completing daily job duties.  Universal Metrics, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1200(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1546432, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on February 22, 2022 , with respect to a workplace located at N93W14475 Whittaker Way, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.

Issued

Sep 14, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,593 · Current $6,013 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii):  Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical   a) On or about April 27, 2023, the employer did not ensure that bottles containing hazardous chemicals such as but not limited to anti splatter, were labeled correctly.  Working with chemicals without the required labeling to inform employees of the physical and health hazards associated with the hazardous chemical increases the risk of employee injury and over exposure.  Universal Metrics LLC.,  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1546432, citation number 2, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on February 22, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at N93W14475 Whittaker Way, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051  Universal Metrics LLC.,  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1468034, citation number 1, item number 3 and was affirmed as a final order on August 18, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at  N93W14475 Whittaker Way, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.