OSHA Inspection: TUFCO LP

Issued

Feb 6, 2024

Abate by

Mar 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,140 · Current $4,998 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:   At the establishment located at 3161 S Ridge Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin; at SB1 and SB2, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program where tight-fitting elastomeric respirators (3M 6503) were required to be worn by employees while performing tasks, such as but not limited to adding sodium bicarbonate to the process, exposing employees to the hazards associated with inadequate physical/physiological capability.  All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.134 (c)(1)(i) through (c)(1)(ix) must be contained in a written respiratory protection program and implemented, as applicable. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators 2) Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations; 3) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance

Issued

Feb 6, 2024

Abate by

Mar 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1): The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  a) At the establishment located at 3161 S Ridge Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin; at SB1 and SB2, the employer did not provide medical evaluations to determine each employee's ability to use half-face tight-fitting elastomeric respirators (3M 6503) that were worn by employees while performing tasks, such as but not limited to adding sodium bicarbonate to the process, exposing employees to the hazards associated with inadequate physical/physiological capability.

Issued

Feb 6, 2024

Abate by

Mar 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary. This paragraph also requires the employer to provide the basic information on respirators in Appendix D of this section to employees who wear respirators when not required by this section or by the employer to do so.  At the establishment located at 3161 S Ridge Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin; at SB1 and SB2, the employer did not provide training to each employee that was required to wear a half-face tight-fitting elastomeric respirator (3M 6503) while performing tasks, such as but not limited to adding sodium bicarbonate to the process, exposing employees to the hazards associated with improper use of respirators.  All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1) through (k)(6) shall be provided to employees wearing respirators. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Reason for respirators use 2) Respirator limitations and capabilities 3) Effective respirator inspection and use 4) Procedures for maintenance, care and storage of respirators 5) Recognition of signs/symptoms that may limit respirator use 6) The requirements of the respiratory protection standard

Issued

Feb 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  a) At the establishment located at 3161 S Ridge Road, Green Bay, Wisconsin; at SB1 and SB2, the employer did not ensure that exposed employees were informed of the existence and locations of and the danger posed by permit-required confined spaces, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means on permit-required confined spaces, such as but not limited to Tank A through Tank H, exposing employees to the hazards associated with permit required confined spaces, such as but not limited to engulfment, mechanical, and thermal hazards.