OSHA Inspection: LIGHT METALS COLORING CO., INC.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4351.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.124(b)(4)(i):Mechanical ventilation did not conform to ANSI Z9.2-1979, Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust Systems:  Sulfuric Acid Tank (A4) and Pre Clean Finish Line Tanks (D9 - D18): On or about February  24, 2022, mechanical ventilation for slotted hoods that were installed at dip tanks to capture process emissions from dipping and coating operations, did not conform with ANSI Z9.2-1979 design and operational requirements.  Ductwork connections from the main duct branched out to Tank A4 and to individual exhaust hoods at D9 through D18, producing poor air flow at the face of the hood. The tanks contained various chemicals including, but not limited to, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, nitric acid, and ammonium persulfate.  Employees were exposed to acute symptoms such as irritation of the nose and throat. Some of the following deficiencies were observed in the ductwork design:  a) Branches at the pre clean line did not enter at gradual expansions and were not at an angle of 30 degrees or less.   b) Branches entered directly opposite each other at the main duct. c) Branching at the A4 Sulfuric acid tank, which lead into an expanded main duct that branched off into slotted hoods D9 through D18, disturbed the transport velocity of contaminants through the exhaust system resulting in expansion losses.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $10151.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(ii)(D):The energy control procedures did not clearly and specifically outline the requirements for testing a machine or equipment to determine and verify the effectiveness of lockout devices, tagout devices, and other energy control:  Facility-wide:  On or about February 24, 2022, the following lockout-tagout standard operating procedures (SOPs) for automated hoists failed to clearly outline verification requirements for testing machine or equipment to confirm that isolation and de-energization have been effectively accomplished before starting servicing/maintenance work after they have been locked or tagged out:  a) Hoist 001 - LMC-LOTO-005.1  b) Hoist 003 - LMC-LOTO-005.3 c) Hoist 008A & 008B - LMC-LOTO-005.8 d) Hoist 009 - LMC-LOTO-005.9

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.333(b)(2)(iv)(A):Before circuits or equipment were worked as deenergized, a qualified person did not operate the equipment operating controls or otherwise verify that the equipment could not be restarted:  H-Line:  On or about February 24, 2022, maintenance technicians authorized to perform frequent repairs on an automated hoist machine, were not required to verify that an electric circuit has been de-energized and could not be restarted before the equipment was worked on. This exposed employees to electrocution hazards.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4351.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): 29 CFR 1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) covered the following elements, however, the actions were not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147 (d)(1)-(6):   H-Line:  On or about March 01, 2022, the employer failed to ensure that the established procedure elements and actions were performed in the required application of control sequence for maintenance and service of the Automated Hoist as listed in the employer's written standard operating procedure, Hoist 008A & 008B - LMC-LOTO-005.8.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d)(2):The machine or equipment was not turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment:  H-Line:  On or about March 01, 2022, the employer failed to ensure that the Automated Hoist machine was turned off using the procedure established (Hoist 008A & 008B - LMC-LOTO-005.8) to avoid any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the equipment stoppage when maintenance was initiated on it's energized parts.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5801.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.151(c):Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use:  a) Dye Line: On or about February 24, 2022, employees performing dipping operations in tanks containing corrosive liquids were not provided with suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body that was easily accessible within the work area for immediate emergency use. Tanks containing corrosive chemicals included, but was not limited to, tank C15, C14, C13, C12, C24 and C25.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2022-10-05 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $8702.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(h)(1): Provision and use. Where a hazard is present or is likely to be present from skin or eye contact with chromium (VI), the employer shall provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment at no cost to employees, and shall ensure that employees use such clothing and equipment. (A)  The employer did not ensure that employees use protective work clothing as required.  Company-wide:  On or about February 24, 2022, employees working with hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) were not provided with the required appropriate personal protective clothing in that, a short sleeve shirt given as protective clothing by the employer, and  worn over regular clothes during dipping tasks, exposed employees street clothes to contamination. Employees regularly worked with a chromic acid solution (Mfr: Brand-Nu Laboratories, Inc.) that contained 15 to 30% Cr(VI):  a) Phosphorus Department  b) Laboratory Department

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4351.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0689

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1026(j)(3)(ii):The employer did not ensure that bags or containers of waste, scrap, debris, and any other materials contaminated with chromium (VI) and cosigned for disposal were labeled in accordance with the requirements of the Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200:  PHOS Department:  On or about February 24, 2022, the employer did not ensure that containers of waste with scrap, debris, and any other materials contaminated with chromium (VI) were labeled in accordance with the Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:  Facility-wide:  On or about February 24, 2022, employees performing dipping and coating operations and collecting samples from tanks in various departments, were not provided with 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.

Issued

2022-08-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $20303.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i):Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  H-Line:  On or about March 01, 2022, a chain controlling the pivot for the automated hoist machine at the H Line, which was supplied by a 480 volt electric current (Breaker 19-21-23), went off track while the machine was running. The employer did not ensure that the proper shutdown procedures were utilized to control the hazardous energy produced before employees were seen initiating maintenance on the energized parts. Employees were at risk of electrocution when proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures were not performed.  Light Metals Coloring, Inc. was previously cited for 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i), related to OSHA inspection number 1345520 issued on January 24, 2019, Citation 1 Item 2, for performing maintenance on that same machine, in the same location, without de-energization when the hoist became jammed.  That investigation was affirmed as a final order on February 21, 2019.