OSHA Inspection: VAHTERUS MANUFACTURING

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(c): The employer did not ensure that no employee was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (mcg/m3), calculated as an 8-hour TWA:  a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.  This level is 4.6 times the permissible exposure limit of 50 mcg/m3 as a time weighted average concentration.  Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on March 5, 2024 for 93 minutes and zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(1): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not utilize engineering and/or work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL.  An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.94(a)(3)(i):   Blast cleaning enclosures were not exhaust ventilated in such a way continuous inward flow of air will be maintained at all openings during the blasting operation:    a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not utilize exhaust ventilation in the blast cleaning enclosure.  An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(1): The employer did not assess the exposure of each employee who was or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3) of this section:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not assess the exposure of each employee who was or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level.   An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(e)(1): The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica was, or could have been reasonably expected to be, in excess of the PEL:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to respirable crystalline silica was in excess of the PEL.  An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 2, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(2)(i): The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not establish a written exposure control plan when employees were exposed to respirable crystalline silica.   An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(g)(2): Where respirator use was required by this section, the employer did not institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not institute a respiratory protection program when employees were required to use an abrasive blast respirator during blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.94(a)(5)(iv):  For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer did not implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not institute a respiratory protection program when employees were required to use an abrasive blast respirator during blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

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)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not institute a written respiratory protection program when employees were required to use an abrasive blast respirator during blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

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)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to an employee who is required to use an abrasive blast respirator during blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(i)(5)(iv): The employer did not ensure that compressors used to supply breathing air to respirators were constructed and situated so as to have a tag maintained at the compressor containing the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about January 29, 2024 - The employer did not ensure that the compressor used to supply breathing air had a tag maintained at the compressor which contained the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized to perform that change.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): The employer did not provide respirator training to employees who are required to use a respirator in the workplace:    a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not provide respirator training to an employee who is required to use an abrasive blast respirator during blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,610 · Current $2,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(j)(3)(i): The employer did ensure that each employee covered by this section could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of  the health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica; the contents of this section; and the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (i) of this section:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - The employer did not provide information and training to employees on the hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica.  An employee designated as a laborer was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at a time weighted average exposure of 230.0 mcg/m3 during abrasive blasting operations.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,700 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.244(b): No support(s) for the abrasive blast cleaning nozzle(s) were provided for mounting the nozzle when not in use:   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about January 29, 2024 - A support for the abrasive blast cleaning nozzle was not provided for mounting the nozzle when not in use.

Issued

May 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.94(a)(7):  Abrasive blasting dust(s) were permitted to accumulate on the floor or on ledges outside of the abrasive blasting enclosure(s):   a)  In the Blasting Area, on or about March 5, 2024 - Abrasive blasting dust was permitted to accumulate on the ground outside of the abrasive blasting enclosure.