OSHA Inspection: LMI FINISHING, INC.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.94(b)(4)(ii): Exhaust systems for grinding, polishing, and buffing operations were not tested in the manner described in American Standard Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust Systems, Z9.2-1960:  On or about October 24, 2023, at the bonded panel sanding booth, an employee used an air powered sanding tool in the booth to sand primed panels and the air was not tested at the discharge of the booth's air-cleaning device.  The back exterior of the booth had accumulations of green dust containing chromium (VI) which exposed employees to chromium (VI).

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(j)(1)(i): The employer did not ensure that all surfaces were maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium (VI):  On or about October 24, 2023, at the bonded panel prep booth, the back exterior of the booth had accumulations of green dust containing chromium (VI) which exposed employees to chromium (VI).

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(b)(5)(iv):  Space within the spray booth on the downstream and upstream sides of filters were not protected with approved automatic sprinklers:  On or about October 24, 2023, at the Dot/Fuel Tank Coating spray booth, sprinklers did not protect the downstream sides of the booth's filters.  Employees sprayed flammable coatings in the booth and were exposed to fire hazards.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,524 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  On or about August 23, 2023, an effective worksite specific respiratory protection program was not implemented where employees are required to wear respirators when spraying chromium (VI) containing primer and sanding off chromium (VI) containing primer.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(i): The employer did not establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee which included the information required by 29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(i)(A) through (m)(2)(i)(E):  a.  On or about August 23, 2023, topcoat paint area, respirator fit test records were not maintained for an employee who was required to wear a tight-fitting half mask respirator during sanding operations for coatings containing chromium (VI).  b.  On or about August 23, 2023, bonded panel prep area, respirator fit test records were not maintained for an employee who was required to wear a tight-fitting half mask respirator during sanding operations for coatings containing chromium (VI).

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $11,524

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  a.) On or about August 23, 2023, at the paint booth mixing room, an employee had facial hair between the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator facepiece and the face during mixing of coating containing chromium (VI).  b.) On or about October 24, 2023, at the fuel tank coating booth, an employee had facial hair between the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator facepiece and the face during spraying of coating containing chromium (VI).  c.) On or about January 3, 2024, near the top coat paint booth, an employee had facial hair between the sealing surface of the tight-fitting respirator facepiece and the face during sanding off chromium (VI) containing primer from parts.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,524 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  a.) On or about August 24, 2023, at a cabinet located between spray booth 1 and 3, powered air purifying respirators were stored uncovered and were contaminated with chromium, iron, and zinc. Employees were required to wear powered air purifying respirators during spraying of chromium (VI) containing primers.   b.) On or about November 7, 2023, near the A line tanks, a half mask respirator was stored uncovered in a cabinet and was contaminated with chromium (VI).

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $11,524

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(4)(ii): Repairs were not made in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and specifications for the type and extent of repairs to be performed:  On or about October 24, 2023, at the bonded panel prep booth, an employee wore a powered air purifying respirator that had tape to hold the belt to the battery pack during sanding of panels coated with primers containing chromium (VI).

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,524 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

1910.1026(f)(1)(iii)  Where the employer can demonstrate that a process or task does not result in any employee exposure to chromium (VI) above the PEL for 30 or more days per year (12 consecutive months), the requirement to implement engineering and work practice controls to achieve the PEL does not apply to that process or task. 29 CFR 1910.1026(c): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average:  Instances: During spray operations for chromium (VI) containing primers, employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, as an 8-hour time-weighted average as follows:  a.) Spray Booth 1, employees who spray chromium (VI) containing primers have personal breathing zone exposures which exceed the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL and feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure at or below the OSHA PEL which include but are not limited to the following have not been fully implemented:  1. More frequent cleaning of spray booth floor grates. 2. More frequent change out spray booth filers.  3. Closing the door between booths until robot overspray is exhausted.  4. Decrease employee time in booth immediately after chromate primer spraying is done.   b.) DOT/Fuel Tank Coating spray booth, employees who spray chromium (VI) containing primers have personal breathing zone exposures which exceed the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL and feasible engineers and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure at or below the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL, which include but are not limited to the following have not been fully implemented: 1. More frequent change out of spray booth filers.  2. Inside the booth, do not block makeup airflow with racks.  3. mark the booth manometer to ensure required air quality is maintained.  4. Decrease employee time in the booth immediately after chromate primer spraying is done.   c.) Spray Booth 3, employees who spray chromium (VI) containing primers have personal breathing zone exposures which exceed the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL and feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure at or below the OSHA PEL which include but are not limited to the following have not been fully implemented:  1. More frequent cleaning of spray booth floor grates.  2. More frequent change out of spray booth filers.  3. Decrease employee time in booth 3 immediately after chromate primer spraying is done.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(2)(iv): The employer used the scheduled monitoring option, and monitoring revealed employee exposures to chromium (VI) to be above the permissible exposure limit; however, the employer did not perform periodic monitoring at least every three months:  a.) On or about August 23, 2023, and at times prior thereto, at the paint department, periodic personal breathing zone air monitoring for chromium (VI) was not conducted at least every three months for employees who sprayed chromium (VI) containing coatings and were exposed in excess of the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL.  b.) On or about August 23, 2023, and at times prior thereto, at bonded panel prep, periodic personal breathing zone air monitoring for chromium (VI) was not conducted at least every three months for employees who sanded parts containing chromium (VI) coatings and were exposed in excess of the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL.   c.) On or about August 23, 2023, and at times prior thereto, at topcoat prep, periodic personal breathing zone air monitoring for chromium (VI) was not conducted at least every three months for employees who sanded parts containing chromium (VI) coatings and were exposed in excess of the OSHA chromium (VI) PEL.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $2,296 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(h)(1): A hazard was present or was likely to be present from skin or eye contact with chromium (VI); however, the employer did not provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment at no cost to employees, and/or did not ensure that employees used such clothing and equipment:  On or about August 23, 2023, at Chem Mil and Chem Film, employees who made additions or transfers of chromic acid into tanks did not use effective protective equipment, exposing them to the hazards of chromium (VI)   On or about August 23, 2023, at Chem Mil and Chem Film, employees who added racked parts by crane to dip tanks that contained chromic acid did not use effective protective equipment, exposing them to the hazards of chromium (VI)

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,524 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4)(i): Employees were allowed to consume food or beverages at a worksite where chromium (VI) was present; however, the employer did not ensure that the eating and drinking areas were maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI):  a) On or about October 24, 2023, at the main office break room, tables and a counter were not maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI) and were used by employees for eating and drinking.  b.) On or about October 24, 2023, at the paint area break room, tables and a microwave were not maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI) and were used by employees for eating, drinking, and heating food.  c.) On or about October 24, 2023, behind the bonded panel prep booth, the plastic covering on a case of water bottles was not maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI) and were available for employees to drink.  d.) On or about January 3, 2024, at the topcoat painting prep area, a worktable was not maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI) and had a water bottle from which an employee drank.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4)(ii): Employees were allowed to consume food or beverages at a worksite where chromium (VI) was present; however, the employer did not ensure that employees did not enter the eating and drinking areas with chromium (VI)-contaminated protective clothing or equipment:  On or about January 3, 2024, in the main office break room, a protective suit worn by an employee during sanding of panels primed with a coating containing chromium (VI), was worn in the break room where employees were eating and drinking.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(5): The employer did not ensure that employees did not eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in regulated areas, or in areas where skin or eye contact with chromium (VI) occurred; or carried the products associated with these activities, or stored such products in these areas:  On or about October 24, 2023, at an exterior wall of the Spray Dot/Fuel Tank Coating booth, a drink bottle was present where an employee was exposed in excess of the chromium (VI) PEL during primer spraying operations.

Issued

Feb 21, 2024

Abate by

Mar 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $11,524 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(m)(4)(ii)(B): The record for each employee subject to medical surveillance for chromium (VI) did not include a copy of the physician's or other licensed health care professional's written opinion:   a.) On or about August 23, 2023, paint department, chromium (VI) medical surveillance records did not include copies of the physician's or other licensed health care professional's written medical opinions for paint employees who sprayed primers containing chromium (VI) and who were exposed at or above the action level for chromium (VI) 30 days or more a year.  b.) On or about August 23, 2023, paint department, chromium (VI) medical surveillance records did not include copies of the physician's or other licensed health care professional's written medical opinion for a topcoat employee who sanded primed parts containing chromium (VI) and who was exposed at or above the action level for chromium (VI) 30 days or more a year.  c.) On or about August 23, 2023, bonded panel prep, chromium (VI) medical surveillance records did not include copies of the physician's or other licensed health care professional's written medical opinions for an employee who sanded primed parts containing chromium (VI) and who was exposed at or above the action level for chromium (VI) 30 days or more a year.