OSHA Inspection: NORTHSTAR STEEL FABRICATING, INC.

Issued

Aug 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,809 · Current $1,085 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(b)(5)(i):  The spraying operations except electrostatic spraying operations shall be so designed, installed and maintained that the average air velocity over the open face of the booth (or booth cross section during spraying operations) shall be not less than 100 linear feet per minute. Visible gauges or audible alarm or pressure activated devices shall be installed to indicate or insure that the required air velocity is maintained. Filter rolls shall be inspected to insure proper replacement of filter media:  a) On or about and at times prior to June 17, 2025, at the establishment located at 1176 Coon Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that the average air velocity over the open face of the spray booth was at least 100 linear feet per minute while using paints, such as but not limited to PSX 700 Light Tint Resin, PSX 700FD Cure, and Steelkote 157 Acrylic Urethane High Gloss FS13538 Orange Yellow, exposing an employee to chemical hazards.

Issued

Aug 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,537 · Current $922 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1): The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  a) On or about and at times prior to June 17, 2025, at the establishment located at 1176 Coon Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; the employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine each employee's ability to use a tight-fitting elastomeric respirator when required to be worn, exposing each employee to the hazards associated inadequate physical/physiological capability.

Issued

Aug 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,412 · Current $1,448 Reduced

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) On or about and at times prior to June 17, 2025, at the establishment located at 1176 Coon Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin;  the employer did not ensure that suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes were provided within the work area for immediate emergency use where the eyes of employees may be exposed to injurious corrosive chemicals, such as but not limited to Lead-Acid Battery, Wet, exposing an employee to chemical hazards.

Issued

Aug 11, 2025

Abate by

Oct 9, 2025

Penalty

Initial $1,809 · Current $1,085 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.  a) On or about and at times prior to June 17, 2025, at the establishment located at 1176 Coon Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program when employees worked with hazardous chemicals in the workplace, such as but not limited to 1E1950H Med. Gloss Black TGIC Polyester, Lacquer Thinner, Lead-Acid Battery, Wet, PSX 700 Light Tint Resin, PSX 700FD Cure, RAL9002 Grey/White TGIC Polyester, SolSafe 245, and Steelkote 157 Acrylic Urethane High Gloss FS13538 Orange Yellow, exposing employees to the hazards associated with hazardous chemicals.  All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) through (h) must be contained in a written hazard communication program. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following:  1) List of all hazardous chemicals 2) Container labeling 3) The methods the employer will use to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks 4) The methods the employer will use to provide other employers' employees information about the written hazard communication program

Issued

Aug 11, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6): Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with either: (i) The information specified under paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (v) of this section for labels on shipped containers; or, (ii) Product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.   On or about and at times prior to June 17, 2025, at the establishment located at 1176 Coon Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemical was labeled, tagged or marked, with the identity and/or hazards of its contents, exposing an employee to chemical hazards in the following instances:  a) One container that contained Lacquer Thinner was not properly labeled, tagged, or marked. b) One container that contained SolSafe 245 was not properly labeled, tagged, or marked.  c) Two containers containing powder coat, such as bit not limited to 1E1950H Med. Gloss Black TGIC Polyester and AL9002 Grey/White TGIC Polyester, were not properly labeled, tagged, or marked.