OSHA Inspection: PERMANENT COATINGS, INC

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $2050 · Current $2050

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(b) Loads.  The employer must ensure that each walking-working surface can support the maximum intended load for that surface. On March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, the CSHO observed that an elevated storage area / mezzanine located in the production area, did not have a posted maximum intended load as required. Employees routinely placed various materials of unknown total weight on the structure without guidance on safe loading capacity.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $1640 · Current $1640

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes must be free and unobstructed. No materials or equipment may be placed, either permanently or temporarily, within the exit route. The exit access must not go through a room that can be locked, such as a bathroom, to reach an exit or exit discharge, nor may it lead into a dead-end corridor. Stairs or a ramp must be provided where the exit route is not substantially level.  On or about March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd Denham Spring, LA 70726, the employer did not ensure that the required emergency exit route was free and unobstructed, as mandated by 29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3). An emergency exit door and the adjoining exit path were observed to be blocked by the mixing/production area of the warehouse,  preventing employees from having immediate and unobstructed egress from the workplace.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $3472 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.106(e)(9)(iii): "Waste and residue." Combustible waste material and residues in a building or unit operating area shall be kept to a minimum, stored in covered metal receptacles and disposed of daily.  On or about March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726 in the production/mixer area, the employer did not ensure that waste and residues consisting of oil?soaked rags were properly stored in covered metal receptacles. Instead, oily rags were observed accumulating on the floor and on equipment surfaces, including areas adjacent to 55?gallon drums containing flammable liquid.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $4341 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(a): Application. Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.  On or about March 11, 2026, at Permanent Coating located at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, the employer did not ensure that employees were provided with and required to use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect against chemical splash and skin?contact hazards. An employee was observed wearing shorts while working in an area where paint solvent was handled, creating an exposure to chemical splash or spill hazards capable of causing skin burns or absorption?related injury. The employer failed to require leg protection or protective clothing sufficient to prevent chemical contact with exposed skin.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $2460 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(g)(2): Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material.  On or about March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. in Denham Springs, LA 70726, in the production area adjacent to the production/mixing area, employees were observed consuming beverages near the solvent mixer where airborne particulate contaminants from the production process were present. Employees were performing routine mixing and material?handling tasks at the time of exposure.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $2894 · Current $1447 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. [63 FR 33450, June 18, 1998].  On or about March 11, 2026, at 89405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, in break area of the production building, employees worked in proximity to a plumbed emergency eyewash unit. The eyewash's spray heads and protective caps were visibly soiled, and the unit was not maintained in a sanitary condition suitable for immediate use. Employees were performing routine chemical handling tasks in the area at the time of exposure.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $2460 · Current $2460

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(c)(1): The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.  On or about March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, the employer did not ensure that a required portable fire extinguisher was readily accessible as required by 29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1). Two fire extinguisher was observed to be blocked by 55-gallon drums in the mixing/production warehouse preventing employees from accessing it quickly in the event of a fire emergency.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $2050 · Current $2050

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(5): Exposure of blades. When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven (7) feet above the floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded. The guard shall have openings no larger than one-half (1/2) inch.  On or about March 11, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, on the mezzanine deck the employer did not ensure that the moving parts of a portable/industrial fan were adequately guarded as required. A box attic style fan was unprotected, with rotating blades positioned approximately 3-5 feet above the floor/working surface. The fan lacked a proper guard with openings no larger than ? inch. As a result, employees working in the area were exposed to the hazard of direct contact with rotating fan blades, creating the potential for lacerations, amputations, or other serious injuries.

Issued

2026-03-20

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $3472 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6): Workplace labeling. 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:  On or about March 6, 2026, at 8405 Florida Blvd. Denham Springs, LA 70726, the employer failed to ensure that 55?gallon drums containing hazardous chemical(s) were labeled in accordance with OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. Several drums were observed in use and in employee work areas without any labeling, including no product identifier, hazard warnings, chemical name, manufacturer information, or other required elements.