OSHA Inspection: CRYSTAL FINISHING SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Nov 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,436 · Current $10,436

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces. NOTE: A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.  On or about June 8, 2023, with regard to an establishment located at 880 South View Drive, Mosinee, WI 54455;  the employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence, location, and danger posed by the permit-required confined space of the SMS/OMAV quench tank pit. Employees were required to enter the pit to conduct activities such as, but not limited to, disconnecting the quench system piping, and removing the pump and motor for servicing.

Issued

Nov 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(5)(i): Under the permit space program required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section, the employer shall test conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist before entry is authorized to begin, except that, if isolation of the space is infeasible because the space is large or is part of a continuous system (such as a sewer), pre-entry testing shall be performed to the extent feasible before entry is authorized and, if entry is authorized, entry conditions shall be continuously monitored in the areas where authorized entrants are working.   On or about June 8, 2023, with regard to an establishment located at 880 South View Drive in Mosinee, Wisconsin;  the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions before entry into the permit-required confined space of the SMS/OMAV quench tank pit. Employees were exposed to potential atmospheric and engulfment hazards when entering the SMS/OMAV quench tank to conduct activities such as, but not limited to, disconnecting and removing the pump and motor for the quench system.

Issued

Nov 27, 2023

Abate by

Feb 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,436 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(i): An employer who designates rescue and emergency services, pursuant to paragraph (d)(9) of this section, shall evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified.   On or about June 8, 2023, in regard to an establishment located at 880 South View Drive, Mosinee, WI 54455; the employer did not evaluate the prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the potential atmospheric and engulfment hazards identified in the SMS/OMAV pit.  Note to paragraph (k)(l)(i): What will be considered timely will vary according to the specific hazards involved in each entry. For example, 1910.134, Respiratory Protection, requires that employers provide a standby person or persons capable of immediate action to rescue employee(s) wearing respiratory protection while in work areas defined as IDLH atmospheres.

Issued

Nov 27, 2023

Abate by

Feb 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(k)(3): To facilitate non-entry rescue, retrieval systems or methods shall be used whenever an authorized entrant enters a permit space, unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant. Retrieval systems shall meet the following requirements set forth in this section 1910.146(k)(3)(i) to 1910.146(k)(3)(ii).   On or about June 8, 2023, in regard to an establishment located at 880 South View Drive, Mosinee, WI 54455; the employer did not provide retrieval systems or methods for non-entry retrieval of an entrant in the permit-required confined space of the SMS/OMAV quench tank pit when employees entered to disconnect and remove a pump and motor inside the permit space.