OSHA Inspection: EASTERN METAL/USA-SIGN

Issued

Nov 21, 2012

Abate by

Dec 31, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,940 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)  Machine Shop, on or about 10/16/12: An employee working as a Fabricator on the Wells Saw was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 68.5% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 68.5% dose is approximately 87.3 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 10/16/12 for 443 minutes.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 37 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    b)  Machine Shop, on or about 10/16/12: An employee working as a Fabricator on the Deburring Machine was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 115.7% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 115.7% dose is approximately 91.1 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 10/16/12 for 443 minutes.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 37 minutes not sampled. Employee was not 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

Nov 21, 2012

Abate by

Dec 17, 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)  Machine Shop, on or about 10/16/12: 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

Nov 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i):  Adequate precautions against the ignition of flammable vapors were not taken:      a)  Screen Cleaning Area, on or about 10/16/12:  Employees used a tank containing xylene a class 1B flammable material for cleaning screens and the tank was not grounded.

Issued

Nov 21, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a):  The employer, required by this Part to keep records of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses did not record each fatality, injury and illness that was work related, a new case, and meets one or more of the general recording criteria:    Eastern Metal / USA-SIGN, on or about 10/9/12: The employer did not record the following workplace injury on the OSHA 300 Log for calendar year 2012    a)  On or about 5/19/12 an employee had 13 days away from work due to a fractured left wrist from a door closing on wrist.    b)  On or about 9/27/12 an employee had medical treatment, sutures from a lacerated finger on left hand.