OSHA Inspection: AHLSTROM NONWOVENS LLC

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-06-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $12059.00 · Current $8600.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Except as provided elsewhere in this section 29 CFR 1910.28, the employer did not ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of the systems described in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(1)(i):  Machine 10:  On, or about, December 11, 2025, employees were exposed to fall hazards from the ladder landing platform located at the top of the fixed ladders that provided access to the Through Air Dryers.  Employees stood on the platform in order to attach an anchor point to an overhead structural member in order to tie-off.  A.	Eight Foot Through Air Dryer. B.	Six Foot Through Air Dryer.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.29(j): The employer did not ensure that body belts, harnesses, and other components used in personal fall arrest systems, work positioning systems, and travel restraint systems met the requirements of §1910.140:  Machine 10:  On, or about, December 11, 2025, employees wore a shock absorbing lanyard when working on the Eight Foot and Six Foot Through Air Dryers.  The location of the anchor point and the height of the working surfaces did not allow for sufficient clearance to avoid striking objects below in the event of a fall.  Ref. 29 CFR 1910.140(d)(2)(ii)

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $6150.00 · Current $4300.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.110(e)(4)(iii):  Permanent and removable fuel containers were not securely mounted to prevent jarring loose, slipping, or rotating:  Aisle between Machines 10 and 11:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, the LPG fuel cylinder provided on Hyster forklift 179G was not secured.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7235.00 · Current $5100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(i):  The employer did not determine if the voluntary use of a respirator did not in itself create a hazard:  Utility:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, an employee was permitted to use a half mask elastomeric respirator with P100 cartridges where ammonia was used.  The cartridges were not approved for use with ammonia and could adsorb the vapor and cause a higher exposure.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(ii):  The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:  Utility:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, an employee was permitted to use a half mask elastomeric respirator without being medically evaluated.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7235.00 · Current $5100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(4)(iii):  An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:  Facility:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, approximately twenty one employees who were permitted to operate powered industrial trucks were listed as overdue for their three year re-evalution/re-training.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7235.00 · Current $5100.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.306(b)(1)(i): Readily accessible disconnecting means were not provided on cranes or hoists:   Machine 11:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, a water spigot and hose were located in the working space for the fused electrical disconnect for the North Area C 15 ton crane.  The hose created a tripping hazard.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9646.00 · Current $6800.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii):  Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the 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, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:  Utility Area:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, a stationary holding tank that was used to measure and dispense Ammonium Hydroxide 26, a corrosive and toxic liquid, was not labeled to identity its contents and the appropriate hazard warnings.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(6):  The employer did not ensure that all nameplates or markings were maintained in a legible condition:  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, the identification plate provided on Forklift 20G, a Toyota sit-down forklift, was worn.  Information such as the model number, serial number and capacity information could no longer be read.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-04-10 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(p)(1):  Powered industrial truck(s) found to be in need of repair, defective, or in any way unsafe had not been  taken out of service until restored to safe operating condition(s):  Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, the plexiglass weather shield mounted to the overhead guard on Forklift 20G, a Toyota sit-down forklift, was dirty and no longer allowed a clear view through the guard.

Issued

2026-02-24 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(g)(1)(ii):  The required working space about electric equipment rated 600 volts, nominal, or less to ground, was used for storage:  Aisle Outside of Maintenance Shop:  On, or about, December 10, 2025, plastic bins were stored in front of Panel G, a Westinghouse panelboard.