OSHA Inspection: UNITY TUBE, INC.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $2,679 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed through a written certification that identified the workplace evaluated;  the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed;  the date(s) of the hazard assessment;  and which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to verify a written certification of the workplace hazard assessment had been performed for employees who work with and around chemicals such as, but not limited to, kerosene and NO REZ-65. Safety glasses and gloves are provided but not required.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Feb 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer did not ensure that affected employees used appropriate eye protection when exposed to liquid chemicals and chemical gasses or vapors such as chemical protective glasses or goggles. Employees running the jet machine are tasked with putting kerosene on a ribbon and running through the machine and only wears prescription glasses.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Feb 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,786 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.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer did not provide suitable facilities for drenching or flushing the eyes and body where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials such as, but not limited to, NO REZ-65 used on the lead soldering machine.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $2,679 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(d)(2): An initial determination was not made to determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer did not conduct initial exposure monitoring to determine if lead exposure is at or above the action level for employees heating the heat exchanger coils that contain lead from soldering. Exposure levels were determined by OSHA to be an 8 hour time-weighted average of 0.046 mg/m3, above the action level of 0.03 mg/m3.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $2,679 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(j)(1)(i):A medical surveillance program was not instituted for all employee(s) who were, or could be exposed to lead above the action level for more that thirty days per year.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer did not institute a medical surveillance program for employees who were exposed to lead above the action level for more than 30 days per year. Employee exposure was determined to be 0.046 mg/m3 as an 8 hour time weighted average.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $5,532

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(m)(1)(iii): The employer did not include lead in the hazard communication program established to comply with the HCS (§ 1910.1200), and the employer did not ensure that each employee had access to labels on containers of lead and to safety data sheets, and that employees were trained on lead in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (l) of this section.  On or about August 29, 2023 the employer did not include lead in the hazard communication program and did not ensure employees were trained on lead in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (l) of this section for employees exposed to airborne lead while performing their jobs.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,358 · Current $0 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.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work are at the time of their initial assignment. Employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals to include, but are not limited to, kerosene and NO REZ-65.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,715 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(l)(1)(i): Employee(s) working in an area where there is potential exposure to airborne lead at any level were not informed of the content of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025.  On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to ensure that employees who worked in areas where there was potential exposure to airborne lead, were informed of the content of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025. Training related to lead had not been conducted with employees.  The employer was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1535460, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 12/22/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 1862 State Route 165 East Palestine, OH 44413.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Apr 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $8,930 · Current $4,465 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1025(h)(1): All surfaces were not maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead.  a. On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to maintain as free as practicable of accumulations of lead, the workstation near brazing operation. Accumulation was determined through wipe sampling to have accumulated 121 micrograms per 100 cm2.  b. On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to maintain as free as practicable of accumulations of lead, the handle of the mini fridge near brazing operation. Accumulation was determined through wipe sampling to have accumulated 11.3 micrograms per 100 cm2.  c. On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to maintain as free as practicable of accumulations of lead, the lunchroom table where employees eat. Accumulation was determined through wipe sampling to have accumulated 42.1 micrograms per 100 cm2.  d. On or about August 29, 2023, the employer failed to maintain as free as practicable of accumulations of lead, the workstation near the lead soldering machine. Accumulation was determined through wipe sampling to have accumulated 265 micrograms per 100 cm2.  The employer was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1535460, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 12/22/2021, with respect to a workplace located at 1862 State Route 165 East Palestine, OH 44413.

Issued

Jan 12, 2024

Abate by

Feb 8, 2024

Penalty

Initial $893 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.4(a): The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    On or about August 29, 2023, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2023.  An employee that works with lead while performing their daily job tasks was found to have high levels of lead in their blood.