OSHA Inspection: QUALITY WELDING & FABRICATION, INC.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Abate by

Mar 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,978 · Current $2,987 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1): A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 dBA:   (a) Transport Area - On or about November 03, 2023, a Transport Tech was exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 104.3% or an equivalent time-weighted average of 89.5 dBA, which is in excess of the 85 dBA Action level, during a 400-minute sampling period on 12-12-2023.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the time not sampled.  (b) Upper Tank Shop - On or about November 03, 2023, a Welder was exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 130.1% or an equivalent time-weighted average of 91.5 dBA, which is in excess of the 85 dBA Action level, during a 409-minute sampling period on 12-12-2023.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the time not sampled.  (c) Lower Tank Shop - On or about November 03, 2023, a Fitter/Welder was exposed to continuous noise at a dose of 100.3% or an equivalent time-weighted average of 89.1 dBA, which is in excess of the 85 dBA Action level, during a 391-minute sampling period on 12-12-2023.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the time not sampled.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Abate by

Mar 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,659 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d): Flammable liquids were not drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve.   (A)  Painting Shop - On or about November 03, 2023, employees were exposed to fire hazards in that a 55-gallon container of flammable (Sure Flow General Purpose Thinner) did not have a self-closing valve.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Abate by

Mar 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii):  Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 �F (37.8 �C), was dispensed into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected.    (A)  Paint Shop - On or about November 03, 2023, employees were exposed to fire hazards due to static electricity discharge ignition of flammable solvent (Sure Flow General Purpose Thinner) while being dispensed into a secondary container without being bonded.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Abate by

Mar 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,659 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  (a) Facility- On or about November 03, 2023, the employer did not certify that a hazard assessment for the required personal protective equipment had been performed, exposing employees to eye, face and hand hazards .

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,659 Reduced

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:  (a) Facility - On or about November 03, 2023, the employer did not have a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear 3M series respirator, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 required to use the respirator in the workplace:   a) Facility - On or about November 03, 2023, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation for employees using a 3M series respirator exposing the employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece was used, and at least annually thereafter:     a) Facility - On or about November 03, 2023, the employer did not ensure that employees were fit tested before using a 3M respirator series respirator, exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, and effective annual training to employees who were required to use respirators.     Facility - On or about November 03, 2023, the employer did not provide respiratory training to the employee(s) required to use a 3M series respirator exposing employees to respiratory hazards.

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Abate by

Mar 5, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.254(d)(9)(iii): Cables with damaged insulation or exposed bare conductors were not replaced.  a) Lower Tank Shop- On or about November 03, 2023, employees were exposed to an electrical hazard due to damaged cable leads on the welding equipment (PX20 T).

Issued

Feb 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:  (a)  Facility - On or about November 03, 2023, the employer had not developed and implemented a written Employees fit tested, trained con how to wear, clean and store the 3M Series Respirator. The company has developed a respiratory program.governing the usage of chemicals in the facility, such as but not limited to Jotun Thinner No. 17, Sure Flow General Purpose Thinner and etc., exposing employees to hazardous chemicals.