OSHA Inspection: NORTHEAST ALTERNATIVES, INC.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,835 · Current $3,918 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): Employer did not select and have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:   Establishment:  Employer did not select personal protective equipment such as arm sleeves and gloves that would provide adequate protection for employees who were exposed to hazardous materials such as Star Xene (sodium chlorite), SaniDate 5.0 (sodium peroxide, acetic acid), bleach (sodium hypochlorite), and pH Up (potassium hydroxide) during mixing plant nutrients, cleaning, and sanitizing/disinfection.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): Employer did not verify, through a written certification, that the required workplace hazard assessment had been performed:  Establishment:  Employer did not verify that the required workplace hazards assessment had been performed for employees who were exposed to hazardous materials such as Star Xene (sodium chlorite), isopropyl alcohol, SaniDate 5.0, sulfur fungicide, pH Up, and bleach (sodium hypochlorite) during mixing plant nutrients, cleaning, and sanitizing/disinfection.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,835 · Current $3,918 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(b): Employer did not base selection of appropriate hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection relative to the tasks to be performed, conditions present, duration of use, and the hazards and potential hazards identified:  Establishment:  Employer did not select adequate gloves for employees who were exposed to hazardous materials such as Star Xene (sodium chlorite), isopropyl alcohol, SaniDate 5.0, sulfur fungicide, pH Up, bleach (sodium hypochlorite), and toilet bowl cleaner (hydrochloric acid) during mixing plant nutrients, cleaning, and sanitizing/disinfection.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,835 · Current $3,918 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):  Employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:   Establishment:  For employees who were exposed to hazardous materials such as Star Xene (sodium chlorite), isopropyl alcohol, SaniDate 5.0, sulfur fungicide, pH Up, and bleach (sodium hypochlorite), for horticultural use and cleaning/disinfection, employer's written hazard communication program did not include elements required by this section including, but not limited to, non-routine tasks and methods of communication to other contractors.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):  Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  Establishment:  Employer did not ensure that all employees who cultivate/harvest plants and clean/disinfect and were exposed to hazardous materials such as Star Xene (sodium chlorite), isopropyl alcohol, SaniDate 5.0, sulfur fungicide, pH Up, and bleach (sodium hypochlorite) were provided training that included elements required by this section such as hazards of all the chemicals employees use and measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards.

Issued

Jun 28, 2024

Abate by

Aug 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6):  Employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:  Establishment:  Employer did not provide information required by this section to employees who were provided filtering masks (N95 mask) for protection against contaminants such as particulates and acid/alkalis while cultivating and harvesting plants, and cleaning/disinfecting work surfaces and tools.