OSHA Inspection: GUNITE CORPORATION

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces are kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.  On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the production area of the foundry were exposed to slipping and respiratory hazards due to the working surfaces being covered in sand containing respirable crystalline silica.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(c): Permissible exposure limit (PEL). The employer did not ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 ?g/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.  On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the foundry were exposed to respirable crystalline silica levels in excess of the permissible exposure limit, exposing them to health hazards such as silicosis: a.  A SPO operator was sampled for 412 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 75.5 ?g/m3. A 68-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. b. An iron pourer was sampled for 410 minutes in the melt department and their 8-hour TWA was 145.2 ?g/m3.  A 70-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. c. A skuller was sampled for 444 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 63.8 ?g/m3. A 36-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. d. A filter setter was sampled for 451 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 178.5 ?g/m3. A 29-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. e. An EHS laborer was sampled for 435 minutes throughout the foundry and their 8-hour TWA was 145.0 ?g/m3. A 45-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(1): Methods of compliance-(1) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section.  On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the foundry were exposed to respirable crystalline silica levels in excess of the permissible exposure limit, exposing them to health hazards such as silicosis. The employer failed to maintain engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL:   a.  A SPO operator was sampled for 412 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 75.5 ?g/m3. A 68-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. b. An iron pourer was sampled for 410 minutes in the melt department and their 8-hour TWA was 145.2 ?g/m3.  A 70-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. c. A skuller was sampled for 444 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 63.8 ?g/m3. A 36-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. d. A filter setter was sampled for 451 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 178.5 ?g/m3. A 29-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. e. An EHS laborer was sampled for 435 minutes throughout the foundry and their 8-hour TWA was 145.0 ?g/m3. A 45-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(6)(ii): Whenever an exposure assessment indicates that employee exposure is above the PEL, the employer failed to describe in the written notification the corrective action being taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL.  On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the foundry were exposed to respirable crystalline silica levels in excess of the permissible exposure limit, exposing them to health hazards such as silicosis. The employer failed to describe in the written notification on January 8, 2024, the corrective actions taken to reduce employees exposure to or below the PEL.   Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6): Workplace labeling. Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with either:  On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the foundry were exposed to chemical hazards associated with unlabeled chemical containers. Employees were using the container that contained oil to lubricate pieces of equipment in the SPO area.  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).