OSHA Inspection: TM POLY-FILM, INC.

Issued

Jan 4, 2013

Abate by

Mar 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,295 · Current $1,260 Reduced

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 sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    In the Extrusion Area, on or about August 29, 2012 and at times prior to, a hearing conservation program was not implemented for the Extrusion Line Operator who was exposed to noise at 146% of the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of 87.7 dBA during the 476 minute sampling period, resulting in a noise hazard.    The employer failed to implement a hearing conservation program for employees whose exposure to noise exceeded the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA).  The employer had not conducted any noise monitoring to determine sound levels within the Extrusion Area of the facility.  Limited sound levels were taken in the Recycling Area.  The employer provided ear plugs for use by the employees working throughout the facility; however, ear plugs were only required in the Recycling Area.  Use of the ear plugs was optional throughout the remainder of the facility.  The employer did not provide any instruction in the use of ear plugs.  The employer provided inadequate training related to noise and associated hearing loss by adding a statement to the employee information handbook indicating that employees should wear hearing protection in areas above 85 dBA and peaks of 100 dBA.  The employer did provide audiometric testing annually to a maximum of 88 employees from the Extrusion Area and Recycling Area (highest sound levels).  The remainder of the employees was selected from the Conversion Area (lowest sound levels).  Noise sources included pumps associated with the extrusion lines.  The production buildings floor was concrete with a metal roof and walls.  a) The Extrusion Line Operator, who wore hearing protection during the survey but stated that he was not normally required to, was exposed to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 87.7 dBA.