OSHA Inspection: WAUSAU EQUIPMENT COMPANY LLC

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Jul 23, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,029 · Current $4,220 Reduced

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) On or about May 13, 2025, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation for welders and powder paint booth operators prior to wearing powered air purifying respiratory protection to determine the employees' ability to use a respirator.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Aug 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $8,038 · Current $5,627 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:  a) On or about May 13, 2025, the employer did not assess the electrostatic powder paint operation to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment, including gloves during the use of powder paint containing triglycidyl Isocyanurate (TGIC), a corrosive/skin irritant that can cause allergic skin reactions.  In the alternative:  29 CFR  1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes.  a) On or about May 13, 2025, the employer did not assess the electrostatic powder paint operation to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment, including gloves during the use of powder paint containing triglycidyl Isocyanurate (TGIC), a corrosive/skin irritant that can cause allergic skin reactions.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Sep 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,029 · Current $4,220 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of Particulates not otherwise regulated - Total Dust, listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 15 milligrams per cubic meter:  a) On May 20, 2025, the powder paint booth operator was exposed to an average concentration of 61.7 milligrams per cubic meter for Particulates not otherwise regulated - Total Dust, approximately 4.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 460-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled 20 minutes.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Sep 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of Particulates not otherwise regulated - Respirable Dust, listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 5 milligrams per cubic meter:  a) On May 20, 2025, the powder paint booth operator was exposed to an average concentration of 6.04 milligrams per cubic meter for Particulates not otherwise regulated - Respirable Dust, approximately 1.2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 milligrams per cubic meter. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 460 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled 20 minutes.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Sep 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  a) On May 20, 2025, the powder paint booth operator was exposed to an average concentration of 61.7 milligrams per cubic meter for Particulates not otherwise regulated - Total Dust, approximately 4.1 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 milligrams per cubic meter. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 460-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled 20 minutes.  b) On May 20, 2025, the powder paint booth operator was exposed to an average concentration of 6.04 milligrams per cubic meter for Particulates not otherwise regulated - Respirable Dust, approximately 1.2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 5 milligrams per cubic meter. The exposure level was derived from one sample collected over a 460-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled 20 minutes.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Aug 15, 2025

Penalty

Initial $10,050 · Current $7,035 Reduced

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) On or about May 13, 2025, the employer's hazard communication training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the powder paint work area, specifically the hazards posed by the powder paints including combustible dust hazards, respiratory Irritation and sensitization, the potential damage to organs such as the central nervous system, kidneys, liver, lungs, and digestive tract after prolonged or repeated exposures, and the mutagenic and genetic risks.

Issued

Jul 3, 2025

Abate by

Jul 23, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1020(g)(1):  The employer did not inform current employees upon their first entering in to employment and at least annually thereafter, of the existence, location, and availability of any records covered by 29 CFR 1910.1020:  a) On or about May 13, 2025, the employer did not annually inform employees of the existence, location and availability of employee exposure monitoring and any other records covered by 29 CFR 1910.1020.