OSHA Inspection: TEXAROME INC

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $5,646 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were not protected from the hazard of high heat while performing jobs duties.  On or about and at times prior to August 3, 2023, employees were exposed to the hazard of high heat from outdoor temperatures and the in-plant processes of heating and distilling the oils  while performing their job duties, that include but are not limited to operating machinery in and around the chemical plant.  At the average heat index was 37.4 C or 99.3 F while the employees performed a moderate workload.  Such exposures are likely to lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as, but not limited to, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  a) TFF Area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior,  employees were exposed to fire, deflagration, or explosive hazards when working around accumulations of explosive wood dust outside the dust collection system.   b) Continuous Distillery Area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior,  employees were exposed to fire, deflagration, or explosive hazards when working around accumulations of explosive wood dust outside the dust collection system.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,067 · Current $4,034 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1):The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  Grinding area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employee(s) were exposed to noise hazards due to the employer not having an effective hearing conservation program for employee(s).

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.133(a)(1):The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids, or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.   TFF area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while handling products such as acetone and caustic soda beads without the use of adequate eye protection.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a):The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  TFF area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while handling products such as acetone and caustic soda beads without the use of adequate hand protection.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $906 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:  On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards without a workplace hazard assessment for personal protective equipment.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,840 Reduced

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:  TFF Area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical splash hazards when adding caustic soda beads to the water heater without an emergency eyewash station readily available.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $4,840 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   Entire Site: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while using products such as, but not limited to acetone and caustic soda beads without implementation of a hazard communication program that includes labeling, safety data sheets, and training.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  Entire Site: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while using products such as, but not limited to acetone and caustic soda beads without hazard recognition training.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $1,613 · Current $807 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.40(a):The employer did not provide an authorized government representative with the records within four business hours.  On or about August 3, 2023, the employer failed to provide copies of the injury and illness records to an authorized representative within four business hours.

Issued

Feb 1, 2024

Abate by

Mar 13, 2024

Penalty

Initial $906 · Current $453 Reduced

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:  Plant area: On or about August 3, 2023, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to an undue physiological burden when wearing a respirator, and the basic information about respirators was not provided.