OSHA Inspection: ALLEN WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1):     When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.    a) At the establishment, the employer had not implemented feasible administrative or engineering controls when an employee's sound level exceeded the levels listed in Table G-16 of 29 CFR 1910.95(b). An employee using a pneumatic nail gun to nail pallets was exposed to noise at 139.9 % of the permissible daily noise (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90 dBA.) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 92.4 dBA (90 threshold) during the 480 minute sampling period on May 27, 2011.     An effective engineering control includes, but is not limited to, a pneumatic nail gun with an air muffler.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):     The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.    a) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 88.7% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 89.1 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     b) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 86.1% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.     c) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 62.9% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 86.7 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     d) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. An employee using a pneumatic nail gun to nail wooden boards was exposed to noise at 149.0% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1):     When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.    a) At the workplace, the employer had not developed a continuing, effective monitoring program for each exposed employee. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 88.7% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 89.1 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     b) At the workplace, the employer had not developed a continuing, effective monitoring program for each exposed employee. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 86.1% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.     c) At the workplace, the employer had not developed a continuing, effective monitoring program for each exposed employee. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 62.9% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 86.7 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     d) At the workplace, the employer had not developed a continuing, effective monitoring program for each exposed employee. An employee using a pneumatic nail gun to nail wooden boards was exposed to noise at 149.0% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1):     The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.    a) The employer did not provide audiometric testing to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 88.7% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 89.1 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     b) The employer did not provide audiometric testing to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 86.1% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.     c) The employer did not provide audiometric testing to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 62.9% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 86.7 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     d) The employer did not provide audiometric testing to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels. An employee using a pneumatic nail gun to nail wooden boards was exposed to noise at 149.0% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1):     The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.    a) At the establishment, the employer had not provided training as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(k) as required when the employee's noise exposure was at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA.  An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 88.7% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 89.1 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     b) At the establishment, the employer had not provided training as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(k) as required when the employee's noise exposure was at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 86.1% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.     c) At the establishment, the employer had not provided training as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(k) as required when the employee's noise exposure was at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA. An employee using a cut-off saw to cut wooden boards was exposed to noise at 62.9% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 86.7 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.     d) At the establishment, the employer had not provided training as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(k) as required when the employee's noise exposure was at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 dBA. An employee using a pneumatic nail gun to nail wooden boards was exposed to noise at 149.0% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.9 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on October 24, 2011.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii):     The point of operation of machines, whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded. The guarding device shall be in conformity with any appropriate standards therefore, or, in the absence of applicable specific standards, shall be so designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of his body in the danger zone during the operating cycle:    a) At the establishment, the Whirlwind cut-off saw, serial #1881M52R, was not guarded exposing employees to an amputation hazard.     b) At the establishment, the Whirlwind cut-off saw, missing its serial number, was not guarded exposing employees to an amputation hazard.     c) At the establishment, the Whirlwind cut-off saw, serial # 2424250R, was not guarded exposing employees to an amputation hazard.     d) At the establishment, the Whirlwind cut-off saw, serial # 2594M811, was not guarded exposing employees to an amputation hazard.    e) At the establishment, the SCMI band saw was not guarded exposing employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.213(b)(3):     On applications where injury to the operator might result if motors were to restart after power failures, provision shall be made to prevent machines from automatically restarting upon restoration of power.    a) At the establishment, the Whirlwind cut-off saw, serial # 1881M52R, was not equipped with a device to prevent the saw from automatically restarting when power was restored exposing employees to an amputation hazard.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):     The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    a) On or about October 18, 2011, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent of the calendar year 2008:    1) An injury occurring on 02/21/08 in which an employee smashed their finger with a hammer while nailing skids resulting in three days away from work.    2) An injury occurring on 02/27/08 in which an employee smashed their finger with a hammer resulting in one day away from work.     3) An injury occurring on 11/03/08 in which an employee injured their hand with a nail gun resulting in no lost time.     4) An injury occurring on 11/14/08 in which an employee had a metal shaving enter their right thumb while metal banding resulting in one day away from work.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):     The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    On or about October 18, 2011, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2009.    a) An injury occurring on 01/09/09 in which an employee sprained their shoulder/arm while putting boards on roller.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):     The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    On or about October 18, 2011, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2010.    a) An injury occurring on 10/01/10 in which an employee pulled a groin muscle while stacking skids resulting in one day away from work.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):     The employer did not record each work-related fatality, injury or illness case that resulted in the general recording criteria on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent.    On or about October 18, 2011, the employer did not record the following workplace injuries or illnesses on the OSHA Form 300 or equivalent for the calendar year 2011.    a) An injury occurring on 05/16/11 in which an employee injured their right hand while using a planer resulting in no lost time.     b) An injury occurring on 06/15/11 in which an employee lost the tip of their third finger on the right hand in a saw resulting in four day lost time.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):     The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):    a) At the establishment, where employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, grease, oils, propane, and mechanical equipment such as, but not limited to, saws and nail guns, the employer had not performed a hazard assessment to determine the hazards of the workplace and the personal protective equipment necessary to protect the employees from those hazards.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) At the establishment, where employees used chemicals such as, but not limited to, grease, oils, and solvents employees were not protected from contact and inhalation hazards by a developed and implemented written hazard communication program.

Issued

Nov 15, 2011

Abate by

Dec 15, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    a) At the establishment, employees exposed to contact and inhalation hazards from chemicals such as, but not limited to, greases, oils, and solvents, had not received information and training to include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals they used and the means the employer had provided to protect them from the hazards.