OSHA Inspection: GATEHOUSE MEDIA NY HOLDINGS INC

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Apr 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 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:      a) On the print lines, on or about 1/9/13: A hearing conservation program was not administered for employees who were exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels for an 8 hour time weighted average. An employee working on the print line was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 76.8% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the (% dose) is approximately 88.1 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 1/9/13 for 399 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 81 minutes of the workday.        Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Mar 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,000 · Current $2,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:        a) At the facility, on or about 12/14/12: Written procedures were not developed where lockout-tagout was used for the control of energy on equipment including print lines and a baler.         Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Mar 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(B): Affected employees were not instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure:        a) At the facility, on or about 12/14/12: Affected employees did not receive awareness training on the purpose and use of lockout-tagout.          Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Mar 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:      a) At the facility, on or about 12/14/12: Employees authorized to operate forklifts had not received refresher training within the last 3 years.       Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Mar 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $3,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:      a) On the folder machine, on or about 12/14/12: A guard was not present on the chopper, exposing employees to point of operation.     b) On the folder machine, on or about 12/14/12: Rollers were not guarded exposing employees to ingoing nip points.    c) On the print press lines, on or about 1/9/13: Rollers were not guarded exposing employees to ingoing nip points.    d) On the insert machine, on or about 1/9/13: Employees were exposed to ingoing nip points when having to place hands on paper inserts feeding into roller.      Abatement certification must be submitted for these items.

Issued

Feb 1, 2013

Abate by

Mar 8, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:      a) At the facility, on or about 1/9/13: A written hazard communication program was not developed where employees use products including Blanket Saver 14 glue containing methylene chloride, and flammable propane.        Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.