OSHA Inspection: CATHCART RAIL, LLC

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,678 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(1):The employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit-required confined spaces:  On or about November 16, 2023 the employer did not evaluate and identify permit required confined spaces in the workplace. Employees entering rail cars for welding repair work and cleaning with the use of high-pressure water were exposed to hazards such as but not limited to oxygen deficient atmospheres, suffocation, and slippery surfaces in that the employer did not identify rail cars as permit required confined spaces.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(5)(ii):Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing or monitoring the permit space as necessary.  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio:  On or about November 16, 2023 the employer did not test or monitor permit-required confined spaces to ensure acceptable entry conditions were maintained prior to entry and during the course of entry. Employees entering rail cars for welding repair work and cleaning with the use of high-pressure water were exposed to hazards such as but not limited to oxygen deficient atmospheres, suffocation, and slippery surfaces, in that the internal atmosphere of rail cars where not tested to confirm safe entry or continuously monitored in areas where entrants were working.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(e)(1):Before entry was authorized, the employer did not document the completion of measures required by 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(3) by preparing an entry permit:  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio  On or about November 16, 2023 the employer did not document the completion of measures, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit entry. Employees entering rail cars for welding repair work and cleaning with the use of high-pressure water were exposed to hazards such as but not limited to oxygen deficient atmospheres, suffocation, and slippery surfaces, in that prior to entry into a rail car, an entry permit was not completed.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $9,678 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(d)(6):The employer did not provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry was authorized for the duration of entry operations:  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio:  On or about November 16, 2023 the employer did not ensure an attendant was assigned outside of permit required confined spaces during entries. Employees entering rail cars for welding repair work and cleaning with the use of high-pressure water were exposed to hazards such as but not limited to oxygen deficient atmospheres, suffocation, and slippery surfaces, in that an attendant was not assigned to monitor the entrant.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $13,828 · Current $8,298 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(c)(4)(i):All welding and cutting operations carried on in confined spaces were not adequately ventilated to prevent the accumulation of toxic materials or possible oxygen deficiency:  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio:  On or about February 22, 2024 the employer did not ensure that all welding and cutting operations carried on in confined spaces were adequately ventilated to prevent the accumulation of toxic materials. An employee engaged in welding operations on the inside of a rail car within the shop was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average of 32.83 mg/m3 for iron oxide fumes, approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 465 minute sampling period, with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 15 minutes. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with iron oxide fumes such as but not limited to irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

Sep 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(a)(2):Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of iron oxide fumes listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 32.83 mg/m3:   Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio:  On or about February 22, 2024 the employer did not ensure employees were protected from exposure to welding fumes. An employees engaged in welding operations on the inside of a rail car within the shop was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average of 32.83 mg/m3 for iron oxide fumes, approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 465 minute sampling period, with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 15 minutes. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with iron oxide fumes such as but not limited to irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Abate by

May 31, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1520

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(e):Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio:  On or about February 22, 2024 the employer did not implement adequate engineering or administrative controls to reduce employees exposures to iron oxide fume wo below the permissible exposure limit. An employee engaged in welding operations on the inside of a rail car within the shop was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average of 32.83 mg/m3 for iron oxide fumes, approximately 3.2 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 mg/m3. The exposure level was derived from samples collected over a 465 minute sampling period, with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 15 minutes. Employees were exposed to hazards associated with iron oxide fumes such as but not limited to irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

Issued

Apr 9, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  Cathcart Rail, LLC located at 6373 Ayers Road in Walbridge, Ohio  On or about November 16, 2023 the employer did not ensure employees who wore tight fitting filtering facepiece respirators (dust masks) were provided with the information contained in appendix D of the 1910.134 respiratory protection standard. Employees voluntarily wearing 3M tight fitting filtering face piece respirators were exposed to hazards.