OSHA Inspection: UNIFRAX CORPORATION

Issued

May 24, 2012

Abate by

Jul 9, 2012

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 sound  level (TWA) of 85 dBA:    a) Water Jet Area- On or about 03/28/2012, employees were exposed to continuous noise level at 82.0% of the permissible daily noise level (8 hour time-weighed average sound level of 90 dBA) or equivalent time-weighted of approximately 88.6 dBA using the 80 dBA threshold level.  The employer has not instituted a hearing conservation program.    A hearing conservation program should include descriptions of how the criteria for:         1.  Are there areas in the workplace where continuous noise levels exceed 85 decibels?;         2.  Is there an ongoing preventive health program to educate employees in safe levels of noise, exposures, effects of             noise on their health and the use of personal protection?;         3.  Have engineering controls been used to reduce excessive noise levels? Where engineering controls are determined to be infeasible, are administrative controls (i.e., worker rotation) being used to minimize individual employee exposure to noise?;         4.  Is approved hearing protective equipment (noise attenuating devices) available to every employee working in noisy areas?;         5.  Have you tried isolating noisy machinery from the rest of your operation?         6.  If employees use ear protectors, are employees properly fitted and instructed in their use?; AND         7.  The general requirements of this section.           ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED