OSHA Inspection: GEORGE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,520 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)  An employee working as a Deburrer was exposed to continuous noise at a sound level of approximately 88.9 dBA (8 hour time weighted average) during the 432 minute sampling period on 6/20/12. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 48 minutes not sampled. Employee was not wearing ear plugs.    b)  An employee working as a Cleaner in the Dip Tank Area was exposed to continuous noise at a sound level of approximately 97.1 dBA (8 hour time weighted average) during the 422 minute sampling period on 6/20/12.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 58 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    Abatement methodology:    Step 1: An effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) shall be maintained.  An effective hearing conservation program shall include, at a minimum:    (1)  a baseline audiogram for all employees exposed to noise levels equal to or in excess of the standard.    (2)  Annual audiograms for each overexposed employee    (3)  analysis of audiogram results with retesting and/or referral to an otolaryngologist or qualified physician when a significant threshold shift occurs.  A significant shift will be considered to be equal to or greater than an average of 30 dba over the 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz frequencies.    (4)  Where insert ear plugs or custom-molded devices are utilized, individual employee fitting shall be conducted by a trained person, and employees shall be instructed in the care and use of the devices.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Aug 16, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1):  A copy of 29 CFR 1910.95 was not made available to affected employees or their representatives nor was a copy posted in the workplace:    a)  George Industries Inc., on or about 6/20/12: The employer did not provide a copy of 1910.95 to the affected employees, or post a copy in the workplace, when employees were exposed to noise that exceeded the 8-hour time weighted average.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)  Employer did not establish nor implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures when respirators were necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators were required by the employer:    a)  Spray Paint Area, on or about 6/20/12: Employer had not established a written respirator protection program when employee was required to wear half face air purifying respirators.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): When voluntary respirator use is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to this section:    a)  Throughout the facility, on or about 4/4/12: Employer allows voluntary use of dust masks and has not supplied employees with Appendix D of the respirator standard.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1) Employees required to wear negative pressure respirators were not provided with a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator:    a)  Spary Paint Area, on or about 6/20/12:  Employees required to wear half face air purifying respirators and had not been provided with a medical evaluation.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2):  Employer did not ensure that an employee using a tight fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was used, and at least annually thereafter:    a) Spray Paint Area, on or about 6/20/12:  Employees required to wear a half face air purifying respirator and had not been fit tested.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Oct 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)  The employer did not provide effective, comprehensive, understandable, and annual (or more often if necessary) training to employees who are required to use respirators:    a)  Spray Paint Area, on or about 6/20/12:  Employees required to wear a half face air purifying respirator and had not received respirator training.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Aug 26, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2):  Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:    a)  Throughout the facility, on or about 6/20/12: Employees using metal electrical boxes connected to flexible cords hanging from the bus bar that were not in accordance with UL approval.  Boxes are listed for permanent mounting only.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Abate by

Aug 1, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5):  The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous and effective:    a)  Machine Shop, on or about 3/29/12: Floor fan near Horizontal CNC OKK A19 had ground pin missing from plug end.    b)  Machine Shop, on or about 3/29/12: Floor fan near Horizontal Haas A13 had ground pin missing from plug end.    c)  Truck Bay, on or about 3/29/12: Floor fan had ground pin missing from plug end.    d)  Deburr Area, on or about 4/4/12: Floor fan had ground pin missing from plug end.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,260 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(d)(1)(i):  Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this  section shall determine if any employee may be exposed to cadmium at or above the action level:          a)   Welding Area, on or about 6/20/12: Employee was Tig Welding Aluminum containing cadmium. Employer had not conducted inital monitoring to determine employee expsore.

Issued

Jul 27, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1026(d)(1): Each employer shall determine the 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure for each employee exposed to chromium (VI):    a)  Dip tank Area, on or about 6/20/12: The exposure to chromium (VI) was not determined for employees working in the Dip Tank Area.