OSHA Inspection: CENTRAL COPTERS INC.

Issued

May 18, 2026

Abate by

Jun 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $1,447 · Current $868 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  a) Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT: On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to; Kerosene C9-C16, and Naphthalene (Jet A Fuel); Methyl Ethyl Ketone; Toluene; Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl, Ketone, Methyl Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol); and Acetone while using these chemicals in various phases of helicopter maintenance.  The employer required the employees to wear 3M full face tight fitting elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges without providing medical evaluations prior to use.   b) Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT: On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to; Kerosene C9-C16, and Naphthalene (Jet A Fuel); Methyl Ethyl Ketone; Toluene; Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl, Ketone, Methyl Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol); and Acetone while using these chemicals in various phases of helicopter maintenance.  The employer required the employees to wear 3M full face tight fitting elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges without providing a fit test prior to use.  c) Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT: On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to; Kerosene C9-C16, and Naphthalene (Jet A Fuel); Methyl Ethyl Ketone; Toluene; Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl, Ketone, Methyl Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol); and Acetone while using these chemicals in various phases of helicopter maintenance.  The employer required the employees to wear 3M full face tight fitting elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges without providing procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators prior to use.  d) Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT: On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to; Kerosene C9-C16, and Naphthalene (Jet A Fuel); Methyl Ethyl Ketone; Toluene; Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl, Ketone, Methyl Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol); and Acetone while using these chemicals in various phases of helicopter maintenance.  The employer required the employees to wear 3M full face tight fitting elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges without training employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations for employees prior to use.  e) Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT: On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to; Kerosene C9-C16, and Naphthalene (Jet A Fuel); Methyl Ethyl Ketone; Toluene; Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl, Ketone, Methyl Alcohol (Denatured Alcohol); and Acetone while using these chemicals in various phases of helicopter maintenance.  The employer required the employees to wear 3M full face tight fitting elastomeric respirators with organic vapor cartridges without training employees on putting on, removing, or the limitations of the respirators for employees required to use prior to use.

Issued

May 18, 2026

Abate by

Jun 12, 2026

Penalty

Initial $1,447 · Current $868 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(4): When the employer decided that its employees would enter permit spaces, the employer did not develop and implement a written permit space entry program that complied with 29 CFR 1910.146:  a)  Central Copters Inc. Hanger, 191 Aviation Lane, Belgrade, MT:  On or about February 23, 2026, and at times prior employees were exposed to entrapment hazards with the inability to self rescue while replacing fuel plumbing components inside of black hawk fuel cells that previously contained Jet A Fuel.