OSHA Inspection: INTERNATIONAL CUSHIONING COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Abate by

May 20, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,104 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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):  On or about November 20, 2024 and at times thereafter, the employer did not ensure all employees exposed to noise levels exceeding the action level of 85 decibels or a dose of 50 percent while working on the grinder were trained on the effects of noise, the purpose of hearing protectors and how to select, fit, use and care for the hearing protectors,  the purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of audiometric test procedures.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Abate by

May 19, 2025

Penalty

Initial $9,104 · Current $5,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iii): The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment was not consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and good engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be necessary by prior operating experience.  a) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure the inspections and/or testing of the butane storage tank were consistently performed in accordance with the  employer's mechanical integrity program which required inspections weekly and monthly of items such as the tank, hoses, shut off valves, and relief valves.  Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.  b) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure the inspections and/or testing of the butane truck unloading and tank filling station were consistently performed in accordance with the  employer's mechanical integrity program which required inspections weekly and monthly of items such as the keeper chains for the liquid and gas lines, pipes, hoses, check valve for the liquid line, and shut off valve. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.  c) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure the inspections and/or testing of the butane lower explosive limit sensors and exhaust hood were consistently performed in accordance with the  employer's mechanical integrity program which required inspections daily of items such as checking for damage to the sensor, making sure sensors are connected to the control boxes, verifying air flow in the hood, and testing that the extruder will not run without the fan on. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.  d) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure the inspections and/or testing of the control panels associated with the polyethylene foam sheet line which utilizes the butane system were consistently performed in accordance with the  employer's mechanical integrity program which required inspections daily of items such as verifying positive air pressure in the control panels and junction box. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.  e) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure the inspections and/or testing of the inside butane pump and piping associated with the butane system on the polyethylene foam sheet line were consistently performed in accordance with the  employer's mechanical integrity program which required inspections daily of items such as heat or noise coming from the pump bearings and leaks coming from the pipes. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Abate by

May 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances K105

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.119(j)(4)(iv): The employer did not document each inspection and test that had been performed on process equipment.  The documentation did not identify the date of the inspection or test, the name of the person who performed the inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the equipment on which the inspection or test was performed, a description of the inspection or test performed, and the results of the inspection or test.  a) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not document each inspection that had been performed on the butane lower explosive limit sensors. The employer's mechanical integrity program required inspections daily but testing and checks on the sensors were only documented once a week. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.  b) On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not document each inspection that had been performed on the inside butane pump and piping associated with the butane system on the polyethylene foam sheet line. The employer's mechanical integrity program required inspections daily but inspections that took place were not documented. Employees were exposed to isobutane hazards such as, but not limited to, frostbite, fire, and explosion.

Issued

Apr 24, 2025

Abate by

May 27, 2025

Penalty

Initial $14,564 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.176(b): Material stored in tiers was not stacked, blocked, interlocked or limited in height so that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse:  On or about November 20, 2024, the employer did not ensure rolls of salvage foam and rolls of finished foam in the storage and shipping areas were stored in a safe and secure manner, exposing employees to struck by hazards.   The International Cushioning Company, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard 29 CFR 1910.176(b), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1579635, citation number 1, item number 6b and was affirmed as a final order on August 25, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 2101 Cedar Street, Fremont, Ohio 43420.