OSHA Inspection: LIBERTAS COPPER, LLC

Issued

2024-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16131.00 · Current $16131.00

Hazardous substances 0731

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a)(2): Employee(s) were exposed to an airborne concentration of copper fume (as Cu) listed in Table Z-1 in excess of the 8-hour Time Weighted Average concentration of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air:  a) At the F1 Furnace, on or about December 14, 2023 - An Assistant Refiner was exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration of 0.41 milligrams per cubic meter of air while tapping and working the F1 Furnace during the casting phase. This level is 4.1 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on December 14, 2023, for 286 minutes and 0 exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.  b) In the Casting Pit, on or about December 14, 2023 - An Assistant Refiner was exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration of 0.27 milligrams per cubic meter of air while working the DC1 pour box during the casting phase. This level is 2.7 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on December 14, 2023, for 415 minutes and 0 exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.  c) In the Casting Booth, on or about December 14, 2023 - A Caster was exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration of 0.13 milligrams per cubic meter of air while operating the F2 Furnace during the casting phase. This level is 1.3 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on December 14, 2023, for 431 minutes and 0 exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.  d) Adjacent to and in the Casting Pit, on or about December 14, 2023 - A Boxman was exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration of 0.25 milligrams per cubic meter of air while setting up pour boxes during the casting phase. This level is 2.5 times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. Sampling was performed by an OSHA compliance officer on December 14, 2023, for 368 minutes and 0 exposure was assumed for the unsampled portion of the shift.

Issued

2024-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-11-12 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0731

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  a) In and around the Casting Pit, on or about December 14, 2023 - The employer did not determine and implement feasible engineering controls for the tap hole of F1 Furnace, for the launder between F1 Furnace and F2 Furnace, for the launder following the F2 Furnace, and for DC1 and DC2 pour boxes to achieve compliance with the copper fume (as Cu) permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. During the casting phase, two Assistant Refiners, a Caster, and a Boxman were exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration above the permissible exposure limit.  b) In and around the Casting Pit, on or about December 14, 2023 - The employer did not determine and implement feasible administrative controls to repair gaps or holes in the ductwork of the local exhaust ventilation above F2 furnace to achieve compliance with the copper fume (as Cu) permissible exposure limit of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour period. During the casting phase, two Assistant Refiners, a Caster, and a Boxman were exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration above the permissible exposure limit.

Issued

2024-03-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2024-07-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 0731

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): A respirator was not provided by the employer to each employee when such equipment was necessary to protect the health of the employee:   a) In and around the Casting Pit, on or about December 14, 2023 - The employer did not provide a respirator to two Assistant Refiners, a Caster, and a Boxman who were exposed to copper fume (as Cu) at an 8-hour time weighted average concentration above the permissible exposure limit during the casting phase.