OSHA Inspection: MAASS MIDWEST MANUFACTURING, INC.

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $1,600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 02300685068907200730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1):General. 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.  On or about December 19, 2025, employees were required to wear ? face-tight fitting respirators to protect against respiratory stressors while performing welding operations on materials such as, but not limited to, regular, stainless and hot roll steel and the employer did not ensure that medical evaluations was provided to employees prior to respirator use.  Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Abate by

May 29, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $1,600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 02300685068907200730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): Training and information. This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary. This paragraph also requires the employer to provide the basic information on respirators in Appendix D of this section to employees who wear respirators when not required by this section or by the employer to do so.   On or about December 19, 2025, employees were required to wear ? face-tight fitting respirators to protect against respiratory stressors while performing welding operations on materials such as, but not limited to, regular, stainless and hot roll steel and the employer did not ensure that effective training provided to employees prior to respirator use. Effective training shall include the following:   a) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; b) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; c) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; d) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; e) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; and f) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Abate by

May 29, 2026

Penalty

Initial $1,702 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(2)(iii): Workers and other persons adjacent to the welding area were not protected from the rays by noncombustible or flameproof screens or shields or were not required to wear appropriate goggles.   On or about February 23, 2026, the employer did not ensure that the J Department was equipped with noncombustible or flameproof screens or the appropriate eye protection was required for adjacent employees working near welding operations to protect against hazards such as arc eye and/or  welder's flash caused by welding rays.    Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Penalty

Initial $2,270 · Current $1,600 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about December 19, 2025, employees performing welding and grinding operations on steel parts were exposed to respiratory hazards involving heavy metals such as, but not limited to, copper, manganese, chromium metal, and iron oxide and the employer did not ensure that employees were provided effective information and training on the hazards to which they were exposed too.  There is no abatement certification or documentation required for this item.

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(vii): Where practicable, combustible materials were not relocated at least 35 feet (10.7 m) from the cutting or welding operation work site:  On or about December 19, 2025 and February 23, 2025, employees were exposed to fire hazards due to combustible materials, such as cardboard, not being relocated at least 35 feet from welding and cutting operations.   Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Apr 22, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(d)(1): Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this section shall determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI). This determination shall be made in accordance with either paragraph (d)(2) or paragraph (d)(3) of this section.  On or about  December 19, 2025, employees performing welding and grinding operations on materials such as, but not limited to, regular, hot roll and stainless steel parts were exposed to respiratory hazards involving hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) and the employer did not perform initial air monitoring to determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each exposed employee.  There is no abatement certification or documentation required for this item.