OSHA Inspection: GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $6,913

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(g)(2): Exit access(es) were not at least 28 inches (71.1 cm) wide at all points.  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Chiller Room - On or about May 15, 2024, the exit access leading to the designated exit door, beside circuit breaker MCC-B2 was reduced to 21 inches by boxes of material stored in the area.  (b)  Chiller Room, Chilled Water Supply - On or about May 15, 2024, the exit access  between the chilled water supply area and the cooling water supply area was reduced to 24 inches.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $11,524

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c):Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave.,  NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Across From High Pressure Station - On or about May 15, 2024, the employer did not provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes to employees who were required to work with and monitor hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to,  Un1760 (biocide) containing Sodium Hypochlorite, Traxstar 256 containing sodium hydroxide,  and  Chemstar 347 containing  2- diethybminathanol.  The eyewash station was blocked by a 55 gallon and five-gallon containers of chemicals, the foot pedal did not work, and the water pressure was low.  (b) Expansion Tank Room - On or about May 15, 2024, the employer did not provide suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes to employees who were required to work with and monitor hazardous chemicals, including but not limited to, Un1760 (biocide) containing Sodium Hypochlorite, Traxstar 256 containing sodium hydroxide, and Chemstar 347 containing 2- diethybminathanol.  The eyewash station had low water pressure,  and the was was cloudy.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,218 · Current $9,218

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Chiller Room Door by Circuit Breaker MCC-B2 -On or about May 15, 2024, access to the ABC fire extinguisher was blocked by boxes of materials, trash, chemicals and equipment. (b) Across form High Pressure Area - On or about May 15, 2024, access to the ABC fire extinguisher was blocked by 55-gal drum of Chemstar 347, a corrosive and a five-gallon container of Traxstar 640, a corrosive.  and a brown metal pole.  A fire extinguisher sign attached to a black pole with its arrow pointing down to an area that did not have a fire extinguisher attached. (c) Boiler 3 - On or about May 15, 2024, an unmounted ABC Fire Extinguisher was sitting on the floor in front the wall that had the fire extinguisher sign attached with the arrow pointing down to an area with no fire extinguisher mounted.  (d) Room with Glycol Pipes - On or about May 15, 2034, an unmounted ABC Fire Extinguisher was sitting on the floor in front of an opened white door.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(2):Portable fire extinguishers were not visually inspected at least monthly:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a) Boiler 3 - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher was not being visually inspected monthly. (b)  Front Chiller Room Entry Door - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher was not being visually inspected monthly. (c) Across from High Pressure Area - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher was not being visually inspected monthly.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(3):  Portable fire extinguishers were not subjected to an annual maintenance check:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a) Boiler 3 - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher had not been inspected since April 2023. (b)  Front Chiller Room Entry Door - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher had not been inspected since April 2023. (c) Across from High Pressure Area - On or about May 15, 2024, an ABC Fire Extinguisher had not been inspected since April 2023.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,913 · Current $6,913

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i):The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.  (a) Gallaudet University Central Plant - On or about May 15, 2024,  the employer did not provide a list of hazardous chemicals for employees who are required to add, mix and monitor hazardous chemicals affiliated with boiler, chiller, and cooling Tower treatment systems, including but not limited to, UN1760 (biocide) containing Sodium Hypochlorite, Traxster 256 containing sodium hydroxide, and Chemstar 347 containing 2- diethybminathanol.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 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:  (a)  Gallaudet University Central Plant - On or about May 15, 2024,  employees, who are required to work with and monitor hazardous chemicals affiliated with boiler, chiller, and cooling Tower treatment systems, including but not limited to, UN1760 (biocide) containing Sodium Hypochlorite, Traxster 256 containing sodium hydroxide, and Chemstar 347 containing 2- diethybminathanol,  were not effectively trained on hazardous chemicals, at their initial assignment  and when new chemicals  were introduced in their work area.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3):Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Chiller  Area with Glycol Pipes - On or about May 15, 2024, the employer replaced  a 134a refrigerant sensor with an exit sign that lead to an exit route that  was obstructed with metal structures and had no signs showing the direction of travel to the nearest exit door.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 18, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(4):Signs were not posted along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge when the direction of travel to the exit or exit discharge was not immediately apparent:  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Chiller  Area with Glycol Pipes - On or about May 15, 2024, the employer replaced  a 134a refrigerant sensor with an exit sign that lead to an exit route that  was obstructed with metal structures and had no signs showing the direction of travel to the nearest exit door.    In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 16, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(b)(5): Each doorway or passage along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit was not marked "Not an Exit" or similar designation, or be identified by a sign indicating its actual use (e.g. closet):  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Chiller Area by Circuit Breaker MCC-B2 - On or about May 15, 2024, door to the left of circuit breaker MCC-B2 was not marked "Not an Exit".   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.38(a): 29 CFR 1910.38(a): The employer did not have an emergency action plan as required by an OSHA standard.  The requirements in this section apply to each such emergency action plan.   Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002:  (a)  Gallaudet University Central Plant, 800 Florida Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002 -  On or about May 15,  2024,  no written emergency action plan was provided for a workplace with over 10 employees, which exposed 1st Class Engineers to the possibility of burn hazards in the event of a fire.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Sep 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 23, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1):The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment .  (a) Central Plant - On or about May 15, 2024, the employer did not assess the workplace of employees, who are required to add, mix and monitor hazardous chemicals affiliated with boiler, chiller, and cooling Tower treatment systems, including but not limited to, UN1760 (biocide) containing Sodium Hypochlorite, Traxster 256 containing sodium hydroxide, and Chemstar 347 containing 2- diethybminathanol,  to determine the hazards and the appropriate personal protective equipment such as but not limited to chemical splash goggles, rubber and/or latex gloves when working with caustics.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet), in addition, documentation demonstrating the abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include but is not limited to evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Aug 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $11,524 · Current $11,524

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2):The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye:  a)  Distribution-Central Receiving Loading Dock - On or about February 20, 2024, an employee suffered a work related injury  and was hospitalized when he fell 47" to the loading dock floor; however, the employer failed to report this to OSHA within 24-hour as required. OSHA was not notified until March 8. 2024.