OSHA Inspection: STRONG BREWS LLC

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14518.00 · Current $10000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for eyes, face, head, and extremities, was not provided as necessary by reason of chemical hazards encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through physical contact:  a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 8, 2024, and at times prior, employees were required to transfer 93% sulfuric acid from 55 gallon drums using 5 gallon open top buckets to 2500 gallon brew tanks while climbing steps, and the employer did not require, nor provide PPE to  protect the employee's lower legs and feet from chemical burns.  b) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - On or about May 16, 2024, an employee suffered a lost time accident from a chemical burn while taking a partial of potassium hydroxide flake, a corrosive.  The employer did not ensure the employee used necessary PPE when performing this job to protect the employee's exposed skin from chemical burns, as required by this section.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 2310

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 (PPE):     a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 8, 2024, and at times prior, employees were required to transfer 93% sulfuric acid from 55 gallon drums using 5 gallon open top buckets to 2500 gallon brew tanks, and the employer did not perform a workplace hazard assessment to determine all the necessary personal protective equipment when performing this job to protect the employee's lower legs from exposure to acid vapors/liquids, as required by this section.  b) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about May 16, 2024, an employee suffered a lost time accident from a chemical burn while taking a partial of potassium hydroxide flake.  The employer did not perform a workplace hazard assessment to determine all the necessary personal protective equipment when performing this job to protect the employee's exposed skin from chemical burns, as required by this section.  ABATEMENT NOTE: The employer should 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.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 2310

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 (PPE):     a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to utilize Tyvek hoods/jackets, rubber gloves and rubber aprons to protect against corrosives.  The employer did not perform training on all the required personal protective equipment when performing jobs with exposure to corrosive powders, acid vapors/liquids, as required by this section.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $14518.00 · Current $7000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

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) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to wear powered air purifying hood respirators for processes such as, but not limited to, when adding 55 gallon barrels of 93% sulfuric acid to the brew tanks. The employer did not have an established written respiratory protection program which would have outlined how the employer was going to implement and comply with the elements of the program as required under paragraphs(c)(1)(i)-(ix).  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(i): Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:      a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to wear powered air purifying hood respirators for processes such as, but not limited to, when adding 55 gallon drums of 93% sulfuric acid to the brew tanks. The employer did not select and provide the proper PAPR respirator cartridge for exposures to acid vapor.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 2310

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) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to wear powered air purifying hood respirators for processes such as, but not limited to, when adding 55 gallon barrels of 93% sulfuric acid to the brew tanks.  Employees required to wear respirators due to exposure were not provided a medical evaluation prior to using the respirator as required by this paragraph.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10372.00 · Current $5000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c):  Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were exposed to 93% sulfuric acid while adding to brew tanks through a pump system. The employer had an eyewash station that was blocked by two large rolling dump carts that prevented employees from immediate emergency use for quick drenching of the eyes.  b) Strong Brews -  5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 8, 2024, and at times prior, employees were adding open buckets, and or pumping, 93% sulfuric acid to the brew tanks.  The employer did  not provide a shower for immediate emergency use for quick drenching of the body.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6222.00 · Current $2500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1560

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1): An educational program was not provided for all employees to familiarize them with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting:  a) Strong Brews -5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to use Alpet-D2, a flammable liquid, in spray bottles for disinfecting equipment.  Employees were provided fire extinguishers to use during incipient stage fire fighting and the employer did not provide an educational program as required.  ABATEMENT NOTE: By this date the employer must either correct the alleged violation or implement a Fire Safety Policy, as outlined in 29 CFR 1910.38(a) and (b) which included the evacuation requirement of 29 CFR 1910.157(b).  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10372.00 · Current $5500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 21402310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   a) Strong Brews - 5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to work with and around hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide flake, and the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with this section.  ABATEMENT NOTE: A written program shall include descriptions of how the criteria for the following will be met: 1.  Labeling, pictograms, and other forms of warning; 2.  Safety Data Sheets; 3.  Employee information and training.    Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and the informing of contractors of workplace hazards, including a description of the labeling system used in the facility and of the availability of safety data sheets, must also be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

2024-10-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 21402310

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii) Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:  a) Strong Brews -5000 Township Line Road, Bethlehem, PA - Brew Tank Area - On or about April 30, 2024, employees were required to work with and around hazardous chemicals, such as but not limited to, sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide flake, and the employer did not provide training on the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in accordance with this section.      ABATEMENT NOTE:   Employees shall be informed of the following:  1. The requirements of this section;  2. Any operations where hazardous chemicals are present;  3. The location and availability of the written Hazard Communication Program, list(s) of hazardous chemicals and Safety Data Sheets.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.