OSHA Inspection: BLEND-PRO, INC.

Issued

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11292.00 · Current $5646.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Soluble Line - On or about August 19, 2024, an employee packaging product in 5 gallon buckets was exposed to continuous noise at 117.0% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.1 dBA while wiping down buckets and utilizing a pneumatic bucket lid press.  The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Soluble Line - On or about August 19, 2024, an employee packaging product in 5 gallon buckets was exposed to continuous noise at 117.0% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.1 dBA while wiping down buckets and utilizing a pneumatic bucket lid press.   The employer did not  institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA.   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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9680.00 · Current $4840.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 05771593

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) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, employees were exposed to chemical burns to the skin while dumping bags/containers and packaging products containing corrosive chemicals, such as but not limited to, lime, fumaric acid, and Portland cement.  The employer did not ensure protective equipment was utilized to protect the exposed skin of employees arms as required by this section.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11292.00 · Current $5646.00 Reduced

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) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Extruding Line - On or about June 26, 2024, employees working on the number 2 Kneader were required to wear half face elastomeric respirators while dumping powders containing crystalline silica into the hopper.   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 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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):  Employee(s) required to wear tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Extruding Line - On or about June 26, 2024, employees working on the number 2 Kneader were required to wear half face elastomeric respirators while dumping powders containing crystalline silica into the hopper, and the employer did not fit-test employees on respirators prior to initial use.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:  a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Extruding Line - On or about June 26, 2024, employees working on the number 2 Kneader were required to wear half face elastomeric respirators while dumping powders containing crystalline silica into the hopper.  Employees required to wear respiratory protection had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face, or that interfered with valve function.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, and effective training to employees who were required to use respirators.   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - Extruding Line - On or about June 26, 2024, employees working on the number 2 Kneader were required to wear half face elastomeric respirators while dumping powders containing crystalline silica into the hopper.  The employer did not provide effective training on respirators in accordance with 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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4839.00 · Current $2420.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, employees were using compressed air nozzles to clean product dust off of machines.   Compressed air nozzles on site had dead end pressures in excess of 65 psi, exposing the employee to compressed air hazards.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11292.00 · Current $5646.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(3)(iv): Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicated that employee exposures were above the PEL, the employer did not repeat such monitoring within three months of the most recent monitoring:   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, and times prior to, an employee working on the number 2 Kneader Line extruder on November 21, 2023, had a time weighted average exposure level of 78.3 ug/cubic meter of  respirable crystalline silica.  This exposure level was 1.57 times the PEL, and the employer did not repeat monitoring within three months of this sampling.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(2)(i):  The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, employees were blending and packaging products that contained hazardous levels of crystalline silica, such as but not limited to, Penetron Penecrete.   The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan for respirable crystalline silica in accordance with this section.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(h)(2)(i):  The employer allowed compressed air to be used to clean clothing or surfaces where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica without being used in conjunction with a ventilation system to capture blown dust:  a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, employees were blending and packaging products such as but not limited to, Penetron Penecrete, that contained crystalline silica.  The employer allowed employees to utilize compressed air for cleaning clothing or surfaces where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica without being used in conjunction with a ventilation system to capture blown dust.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(j)(1): The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200):     a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA -On or about June 26, 2024, employees were blending and packaging products such as but not limited to, Penetron Penecrete, that contained crystalline silica. The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the hazard  communication program.  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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following: (A) the health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; (B) specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; (C) specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used; (D) the contents of this section; and, (E) the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (i) of this section:   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA - On or about June 26, 2024, employees were blending and packaging products such as but not limited to, Penetron Penecrete, that contained crystalline silica. The employer did not ensure that employees were informed and could demonstrate knowledge of the silica requirements in accordance with 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

2024-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11292.00 · Current $5646.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(i)(1)(i):  The employer shall make medical surveillance available at no cost to the employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year.   a) Blend Pro - 601 S. 10th St., Allentown, PA -  On or about June 26, 2024, and times prior to, an employee working on the number 2 Kneader Line extruder on November 21, 2023, had a time weighted average exposure level of 78.3 ug/cubic meter of  respirable crystalline silica.   Employees on this line are exposed to silica containing products more than 30 days a year, and the employer did not make medical surveillance available in accordance with 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