OSHA Inspection: ULTRAFLEX SYSTEMS, INC.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written 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) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023,  employees were wearing half-face elastomeric respirators to protect against dusts.   The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program which covered the minimum requirements under this paragraph for voluntary use of a tight fitting respirator.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

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 permitted to use the respirator in the workplace.    a) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023,  employees were provided half-face elastomeric respirators to protect against dusts.  The employer did not provide medical evaluations as required.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(6):The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer.  a) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023,  employees wearing half-face elastomeric respirators voluntarily to protect against dusts were not informed of the basic advisory information on respirators contained in Appendix D of 1910.134.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  a) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023, employees were using compressed air nozzles to blow metal and polypropylene dust off of product and equipment.   Compressed air nozzles on site had dead end pressures in excess of 80 psi, exposing the employee to compressed air hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,678 · Current $1,600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 004008109135

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) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023, , employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, ISO Brand Rigid Foam and acetone, and 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.    ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include descriptions of how the criteria for the following will be met: 1.  Labeling, pictograms, and other forms of warning; 2.  Safety Data Sheets; 3.  Employee information and training.    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, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and of the availability of material safety data sheets, must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 004008109135

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) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023, employees were utilizing acetone from an unlabeled pump container.  The employer did not ensure that this container was properly labeled in accordance with this section.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jan 11, 2024

Abate by

Feb 7, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 004008109135

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) Ultraflex Systems - On or about July 21, 2023, , employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, ISO Brand Rigid Foam and acetone.  The employer did not provide effective information and training of such chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment as required.  ABATEMENT NOTE: Employees shall be informed of the following: 1. The requirements of this section; 2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present; 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 hazardous chemical in the work area. 2. The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area. 3. The measures employees can take to protect themselves such as specific procedures and personal, protective equipment to be used. 4. The details of the employer's Hazard Communication Program including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by the employer; Safety Data Sheets, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.