OSHA Inspection: TOWER PALLET COMPANY, INC

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 14, 2012

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition:    a)  Elevated surfaces are not cleaned of combustible wood dust throughout the saw mill area. Wood dust accummulations were noted on top of the exhaust hood for the Newman Cutoff Saw, top of the exterior of the exhaust ducts and the tops of electrical boxes.          Abatement Documentation and Abatement Certification required.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Jan 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,900 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    On 05/24/12, the employer did not have a hearing conservation program instituted for employees exposed to noise levels exceeding the 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA.    a)  On 05/24/12, the Forklift Operator was exposed to a TWA of 91.6 dBA over a 491 minute sampling period.    b)  On 05/24/12, the Nailer Setup employee was exposed to a TWA of 94.2 dBA over a 468 minute sampling period.    c)  On 05/24/12, the Nailer Stringer Loader was exposed to a TWA of 92.7 dBA over a 343 minute sampling period.    d)  On 05/24/12, the Nailer Assembler was exposed to a TWA of 95.7 dBA over a 459 minute sampling period.    e)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Stringer Stacker was exposed to a TWA of 98.0 dBA over a 455 minute sampling period.    f)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Saw Helper was exposed to a TWA of 94.8 dBA over a 466 minute sampling period.    g)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Stacker was exposed to a TWA of 95.0 dBA over a 487 minute sampling period.    h)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Saw Deduster was exposed to a TWA of 94.7 dBA over a 457 minute sampling period.    i)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff employee was exposed to a TWA of 94.2 dBA over a 454 minute sampling period.    j)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Notcher was exposed to a TWA of 97.9 dBA over a 483 minute sampling period.    k)  On 05/24/12, the Cutoff Saw Operator eas exposed to a TWA of 93.4 dBA over a 480 minute sampling period.    All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) must be covered in a hearing conservation program. Key elements include, but are not limited to, the following:    1)  Noise level monitoring  2)  Audiomatic testing  3)  Wearing of hearing protection  4)  Training program  5)  Providing copies of standard to employees  6)  Recodkeeping         Abatement Documentation and Abatement Certification Required.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(a): Protective equipment was not used when necessary whenever hazards capable of causing injury and impairment were encountered:    a) Employees in the Saw Mill area were not required to wear eye protection. There is a possibility of wood material being thrown during the sawing operation.         Abatement Documentation and Abatement Certification required.

Issued

Aug 30, 2012

Abate by

Sep 14, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1):  The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment:    a)  The employer did not assess the workplace to determine the need for protective footwear.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED.