OSHA Inspection: HA INTERNATIONAL LLC

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Aug 6, 2025

Penalty

Initial $14,895 · Current $8,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting respirator is fit tested prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, make or model) is used, and at least annually thereafter.  On or about February 11, 2025 and at times thereafter, the employer did not ensure employees required to wear tight  fitting respirators were fit tested annually. The employer required employees to wear tight fitting elastomeric respirators to protect against exposure to respirable crystalline silica while working in dry set up, operating mixers, and during pump out activities.

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Aug 6, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(i)(C): The employer did not establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee which included the specific make, model, style and size of respirator tested:  On or about February 11, 2025 and at times thereafter, the employer did not ensure fit test records included the model and size of the respirator used for fit testing. The employer required employees to wear tight fitting elastomeric respirators to protect against exposure to respirable crystalline silica while working in dry set up, operating mixers, and during pump out activities.

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Aug 6, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(m)(2)(ii): Fit test records were not retained for respirator users until the next fit test was administered:  On or about February 11, 2025 and at times thereafter, the employer did not ensure fit test records were maintained for all employees required to wear tight fitting respirators. The employer required employees to wear tight fitting elastomeric respirators to protect against exposure to respirable crystalline silica while working in dry set up, operating mixers, and during pump out activities.

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Dec 1, 2025

Penalty

Initial $14,895 · Current $8,000 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 g/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:  a) On or about March 27, 2025, an employee work as a mixer operator was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time weighted average of 64.26 ug/m3 which exceeds the OSHA PEL of 50 ug/m3 when performing job tasks such as adding raw material which contain crystalline silica into the mixer.   b) On or about March 27, 2025, an employee work as a pump operator was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time weighted average of 238.91 ug/m3 which exceeds the OSHA PEL of 50 ug/m3 when performing job tasks such as adding raw material which contain crystalline silica into the hopper and cleaning in the work area.

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Dec 1, 2025

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 PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:  a) On or about March 27, 2025, the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure to respirable silica to or below the PEL in the production area of the facility where employees perform job tasks such as adding raw material which contain crystalline silica into the mixer. The mixer operator was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time weighted average of 64.26 ug/m3.  b) On or about March 27, 2025, the employer did not implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure to respirable silica to or below the PEL in the production area of the facility where employees perform job tasks such as adding raw material which contain crystalline silica into the hopper and clean the work area. The pump operator  was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time weighted average of 238.91 ug/m3.

Issued

Jul 14, 2025

Abate by

Aug 8, 2025

Penalty

Initial $10,641 · Current $8,000 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 that included the elements in 29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(2)(i)(A)-(C):  On or about February 11, 2025, the employer had not established a written respirable crystalline silica exposure control program which included all required elements. The employer's program did not include a description of all tasks that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica, a description of the control measures used to limit employee exposure, housekeeping measures to limit exposure, and an annual review of the program and its effectiveness.