OSHA Inspection: SPEER CARBON COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to electrical and struck-by hazards associated with the use of the Budget Series 6000 Man Guard Air Hoist.  a.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto: Periodic inspections are not performed or documented on the hoists. Hoists include, but is not limited to, Budget Series 6000 Man Guard Air Hoist  b.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto:  Frequent inspections were not performed on hooks to identify deformation or cracks.  Hooks were used at the facility in various areas in the facility as part of the hoist lifting operation.  Hoists include, but is not limited to, Budget Series 6000 Man Guard Air Hoist.  c.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto:  Frequent inspections were not performed on hoist chains to identify excessive wear, twist, distorted links, or stretch.  Hoist chains were used at the facility in various areas in the facility as part of the hoist lifting operation.  Hoists include, but is not limited to, Budget Series 6000 Man Guard Air Hoist.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation.  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. IN ADDITION, abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic, or video evidence or abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,292 · Current $11,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:  a.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC, located at 806 Theresia Street, St. Marys, PA 15857: On or about 01/10/2024, and times prior thereto: Flammable liquids including but not limited to Methanol and Toluene were mixed/blended in a tank utilizing a Kobalt 20-Volt Cordless Compact Drill Model #KT300A.  During the mixing, the flammable vapors ignited, causing burn injuries to the employee using the equipment.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation.  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. IN ADDITION, abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic, or video evidence or abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,531 · Current $2,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a):Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: Employees were exposed to chemical burns while working with and around chemicals including, but not limited to, Toluene, Methanol, and BK 5012 Phenolic Specialty Resin while creating and adjusting treatments.   Protection for the arms was not provided when working with and around the chemicals.  B.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: Employee were potentially exposed to flash fire hazards while working with and around flammable liquids including, but not limited to, Toluene and Methanol while adjusting treatments. Protection for the upper body and arms was not provided when working with and around the flammable liquids. Employee did not have flame resistant clothing for the upper body and arms.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(f)(1):The employer did not provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use personal protective equipment that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1)-29 CFR 1910.132(f)(1)(v):  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: Employees utilized personal protective equipment including but not limited to, Safety Glasses and gloves. Employees are exposed to hazards associated with, but not limited to, flammable liquids and corrosives. Employees did not receive training on personal protective equipment.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 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:  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: Employees worked with and around corrosive chemicals including, but not limited to, BK 5012 Phenolic Specialty Resin.  Employees did not utilize chemical goggles and/or canted face shield while performing work operations with corrosive chemicals.  Employees transferred chemicals to other containers as part of the treatment process.  B.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto: employees worked with and around chemicals including but, not limited to, Toluene, Methanol, Caster Oil, and BK 5012 Phenolic Specialty Resin without being required to wear eye protection.  Employees transferred chemicals to other containers as part of the treatment process.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.138(a):The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasion  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: Employees were exposed to chemical burns while working with and around Toluene, Methanol, and BK 5012 Phenolic Specialty Resin while creating and adjusting treatments.  Employees were not utilizing chemical resistant gloves.  Use of gloves when working with and around these chemicals was not enforced.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Jul 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,531 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.145(c)(3):Safety instruction sign(s) were not used where there was a need for general instructions and suggestions relative to safety measure(s):  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto:  An employee suffered burn injuries due to a flash fire which occurred while using an electric drill to mix the treatment being adjusted.   Safety instruction signs were not posted to warn employees of the explosion proof room and/or the hazards of brining electric devices into the room.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $4,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(2):Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto: the employer was not ensuring that all portable fire extinguishers were receiving monthly inspections.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(g)(2):The educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting was not provided to all employees upon initial employment, and at least annually thereafter:  A.) Speer Carbon Company, LLC on or about 1/10/24 and times prior thereto: Portable multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguishers were distributed throughout the facility for employees to use in the event of an incipient stage fire.   Employees did not have fire extinguisher education upon initial employment.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 13, 2024

Abate by

Oct 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(2):The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies 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:  A.)Speer Carbon Company, LLC, Treater Room, on or about 1/02/24 and times prior thereto: The assessment of the workplace to determine what Personal Protective Equipment  is required for employees was not documented and certified.  Employees who worked with chemicals to create and adjust treatments were working without the protective equipment needed for the hazards present.   Chemicals Include, but are not limited to, Toluene, Methanol, Caster Oil, and BK 5012 Phenolic Specialty Resin.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation (see below).  This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.