OSHA Inspection: ALLIANCE WIRE & STEEL INC.

Issued

Jun 7, 2013

Abate by

Jul 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 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 paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment:    a) On or about April 5, 2013, employee who operates the C-Weld located in Northwest of the warehouse was exposed to continuous noise at 167.0% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 452 minute sampling period on May 5, 2013.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 93.7 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 28 minutes not sampled.      b) On or about April 5, 2013, employee who operates the Rolling Line #3 located in the Southeast of the warehouse was exposed to continuous noise at 74.4% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 458 minute sampling period on May 5, 2013.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 87.9 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 22 minutes not sampled.      c) On or about April 5, 2013, employee who operates the P-Weld located in the Southwest of the warehouse was exposed to continuous noise at 91.1% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 446 minute sampling period on May 5, 2013.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 89.3 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 34 minutes not sampled.      d) On or about April 5, 2013, employee who operates the Rolling Line #2 located on the Southeast of the warehouse was exposed to continuous noise at 85.3% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 456 minute sampling period on May 5, 2013.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 88.9 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 24 minutes not sampled.      e) On or about April 5, 2013, employee who operates the Rolling Line #1 located on the Southeast of the warehouse was exposed to continuous noise at 94.3% of the permissible daily noise exposure (8-hour Time Weight Average sound level of 85 dBA) during the 466 minute sampling period on May 5, 2013.  For a full eight hour work shift this exposure would be equivalent to an average sound level of 89.6 dBA.  Exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 14 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jun 7, 2013

Abate by

Jul 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,120 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(A) Employees not using hearing protectors were not fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and not required to use them:    On or about April 5, 2013, employees were exposed to noise levels above the OSHA action level of 85 dBA (TWA) when operating welding machines in the warehouse and not wearing hearing protection.

Issued

Jun 7, 2013

Abate by

Jul 12, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Employees already using hearing protectors were not refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and were not provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:    On or about April 5, 2013, employees were exposed to noise levels above the OSHA action level of 85 dBA (TWA) when operating welding machines and improperly wearing hearing protection.