OSHA Inspection: PRECISION CHROME, INC.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-10-07 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5174.00 · Current $3300.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section 5(a)(1):  The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to metal dust fire hazards as a result of working at or near multiple indoor dry-type dust collection systems that were collecting dust from upstream chrome and steel polishing machines:      (a)   On February 16, 2018:  A Hammond Machinery DK-8 ?DusKolector? combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector unit (S/N 16087) was used to collect chrome dust from a connected chrome polishing machine in the chrome polishing area.  The unit was located indoors in near proximity to the polishing machine. The system exposed employees to fire hazards such as, but not limited to, burns from flames or flash fire flame front and the inhalation of hazardous byproducts of combustion (i.e. smoke, toxic gases, etc.) in the event of a fire. In addition, the design of dust collection system (i.e. conveyance ducts and exhaust source) did not ensure that duct velocities were sufficient to prevent the accumulation of metal dust in the duct work.      (b)   On February 16, 2018:  A Hammond Machinery DK-8 ?DusKolector? combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector unit (S/N 35677) was used to collect chrome dust from a connected chrome polishing machine in the chrome polishing area.  The unit was located indoors in near proximity to the polishing machine. The system exposed employees to fire hazards such as, but not limited to, burns from flames or flash fire flame front and the inhalation of hazardous byproducts of combustion (i.e. smoke, toxic gases, etc.) in the event of a fire. In addition, the design of dust collection system (i.e. conveyance ducts and exhaust source) did not ensure that duct velocities were sufficient to prevent the accumulation of metal dust in the duct work.      (c)    On February 16, 2018:  A Hammond Machinery DK-8 ?DusKolector? combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector unit (S/N 17098) was used to collect chrome dust from a connected chrome polishing machine in the chrome polishing area.  The unit was located indoors in near proximity to the polishing machine. The system exposed employees to fire hazards such as, but not limited to, burns from flames or flash fire flame front and the inhalation of hazardous byproducts of combustion (i.e. smoke, toxic gases, etc.) in the event of a fire.  In addition, the design of dust collection system (i.e. conveyance ducts and exhaust source) did not ensure that duct velocities were sufficient to prevent the accumulation of metal dust in the duct work.      (d)   On February 16, 2018:  A Hammond Machinery DK-8 ?DusKolector? combination cyclone and enclosureless dust collector unit (S/N 12522) was used to collect steel dust from a connected steel polishing machine in the shipping and receiving area.  The unit was located indoors in near proximity to the polishing machine. The system exposed employees to fire hazards such as, but not limited to, burns from flames and the inhalation of hazardous byproducts of combustion (i.e. smoke, toxic gases, etc.) in the event of a fire.  In addition, the design of dust collection system (i.e. conveyance ducts and exhaust source) did not ensure that duct velocities were sufficient to prevent the accumulation of metal dust in the duct work.      Among other methods, feasible abatement methods include following the provisions of the National Fire Protection Association?s (NFPA) Standard 484 ?Standard for Combustible Metals. 2015 ed.? ? Sections 9.4.1 and 9.4.10 (dust collection system design), 9.4.13.2 (dust collector location), 9.4.13.11 and 9.4.13.15.7.5 (prohibitions on recycling exhaust air into buildings), and 9.4.13.15.1 (indoor dry-type dust collector prohibitions).      Specifically, NFPA recognizes two methods of collecting combustible metal dust in industrial operations.  These are (1) wet-type dust collectors located indoors near the point of dust generation and (2) dry-type dust collectors located outdoors as close as possible to the point of dust generation.  NFPA also recognizes that there are some specialized applications where indoor dry-type dust collectors can be tolerable for the collection of metal dusts where wet-type dust collectors or dry-type outdoor dust collectors are not technically feasible.  For wet-type dust collections systems, follow the guidance in NFPA 484 (2015) Section 9.4.12 (wet-type dust collectors).  Wet-type dust collectors, if used, must be installed and maintained in accordance with industry guidelines.  For dry-type dust collectors, follow the guidance in NFPA 484 (2015) Section 9.4.13 (dry-type dust collectors), 9.4.13.14 (media collectors), and 9.4.13.15 (indoor-dry type dust collectors).  Dry-type dust collectors, if used, must include provisions for explosion protection, deflagration propagation protection (isolation), and fire protection.       In addition, dust collection systems must be designed to maintained duct velocities between 3,500 ft/min and 4,500 ft/min.  Control options include ensuring that conveyance systems and ducting are designed in accordance with recognized and accepted good engineering practices such as those found in the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hyginiest?s (ACGIH) publication ?Industrial Ventilation ? A Manual for Recommend Practice for Design?.  For example, to achieve sufficient duct velocities in an effort to prevent the settling of dusts in the ducts: duct transitions should be smooth and angled (i.e. 30 - 45 degrees), duct diameters should increase after the branch duct entry points, and fans should be selected based on achieving appropriate capture and duct conveyance velocities.  Exhaust systems should be designed, installed, and maintained by professionals having experience with the principles of industrial ventilation design.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-26 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3696.00 · Current $2295.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): 29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):  A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA:    On March 28, 2018, an effective hearing conservation program which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing of employees and training of employees as detailed in the standard was not instituted by Precision Chrome, Inc.    a) An employee operating a chrome polishing machine was exposed to continuous noise levels at 83.6% of the allowable 8-hour, action level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 83.6% is approximately 88.7 dBA.  The sampling was performed on March 28, 2018 for 453 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 27 minutes.    b) An employee operating a chrome polishing machine was exposed to continuous noise levels at 67.2% of the allowable 8-hour, action level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 67.2% is approximately 87.1 dBA.  The sampling was performed on March 28, 2018 for 453 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 27 minutes.    c) An employee operating a steel polishing machine was exposed to continuous noise levels at 108.7% of the allowable 8-hour, action level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 108.7% is approximately 90.6 dBA.  The sampling was performed on March 28, 2018 for 454 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 26 minutes.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2217.00 · Current $1410.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9130

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    a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program for employees who voluntarily wore respiratory protection, including 3M 6300 negative pressure, half-mask respirators with P100 cartridges, which were necessary to ensure that they doe not present a health hazard to the user.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not provide employees with a medical evaluation before the employees were allowed to voluntarily wear a 3M 6300 tight fitting, negative-pressure respirator with P100 cartridges in the workplace.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 06890691

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  (a) On March 28, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not ensure that employees stored their respirators to protect them from contamination of chemicals.  Respirators were stored on work tables in the plating area, and inside PPE lockers without a proper storage container.  Wipe samples from surfaces and inside the respirator indicated the presence of hexavalent chromium.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6): The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:  a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not provide the information in Appendix D of the respirator standard to employees who voluntarily wore 3M 6300 tight-fitting, half- mask respirators in the workplace.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3696.00 · Current $2295.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

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 February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not ensure that the emergency eye wash facility located in the vicinity of the chrome plating tanks was operable/working to allow for quick flushing of the eyes in the case of chemical exposure.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3696.00 · Current $2295.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(1): The employer with a workplace or work operation covered by this standard did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):    (a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not determine the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure for employees exposed to hexavalent chromium when performing hexavalent chromium electroplating.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3696.00 · Current $2295.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(l)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that all employees who were assigned to workplaces where there was exposure to chromium (VI) were provided with information and training as required by the Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200:     a)  On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not provide information and training on the health and physical hazards of hexavalent chromium to employees performing plating operations.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employees were not trained on the physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area:  a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not provide information and training to employees exposed to hazardous chemicals including but not limited to particulate steel dust and combustible dust hazards.

Issued

2018-05-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2018-06-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2217.00 · Current $1410.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    a) On February 16, 2018, Precision Chrome, Inc. did not develop or implement a written hazard communication program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1) that would describe or include at least the following:    1) Requirement for labeling of containers of hazardous chemicals;  2) Safety data sheet availability;  3) Training of employees;  4) A complete list of hazardous chemicals known to be in the workplace;  5) Methods to inform employees of the hazards on non-routine tasks; and  6) Methods to inform other employer(s) of material safety data sheet availability; the labeling system; and any precautionary measures to protect employees.    Employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals, including hexavalent chromium and combustible dust.