OSHA Inspection: INTERSTATE ENVELOPE MANUFACTURING CO., LLC

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,420 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:      (a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 1. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on  RA-1 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 94.1 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 94.1% dose is approximately 89.6 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 447 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 33 minutes of the workday. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.      (b) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 3. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on  RA-3 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 112.2% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 112.2% dose is approximately 90.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 448 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 32 minutes of the workday. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (c)  At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 4. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on  RA-4 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 141.3 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 141.3% dose is approximately 89.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 450 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 30 minutes of the workday. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (d) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 5. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on  RA-5 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 128.6% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 128.6% dose is approximately 91.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 449 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 31 minutes of the workday. The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.1

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    (a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 1. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-1 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 94.1 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 94.1% dose is approximately 89.6 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 447 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 33 minutes of the workday.  When information indicated that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.      (b) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 3. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-3 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 112.2% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 112.2% dose is approximately 90.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 448 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 32 minutes of the workday. When information indicated that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program , on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (c)  At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 4. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-4 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 141.3 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 141.3% dose is approximately 89.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 450 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 30 minutes of the workday When information indicated that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program., on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (d) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 5. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-5 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 128.6% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 128.6% dose is approximately 91.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 449 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 31 minutes of the workday. When information indicated that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program , on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.1

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(i): The employer did not establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level:      (a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 1. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-1 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 94.1 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 94.1% dose is approximately 89.6 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 447 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 33 minutes of the workday. The employer did not establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.      (b) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 3. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-3 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 112.2% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 112.2% dose is approximately 90.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 448 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 32 minutes of the workday. The employer did not establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (c)  At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 4. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-4 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 141.3 % of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 141.3% dose is approximately 89.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 450 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 30 minutes of the workday.The employer did not establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     (d) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Workshop Area / Rotary Automatic {RA} - 5. On a daily basis, employees work in the production workshop and operate the Rotary Automatic machines, retrieve the output, and package the envelopes for shipping. An employee working on the RA-5 in the production workshop as a machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 128.6% of the dose of the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The equivalent dBA for the 128.6% dose is approximately 91.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. Sampling was conducted on 03/13/13 for 449 minutes.  Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 31 minutes of the workday. The employer did not establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.    At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y - Production Workshop / RA Machine Area. On a routine basis employee(s) work with, tranfer, and pour products such as paste, adhesives, and inks to include ADHESIN 32-3568 (Corrosive; pH 4.5), FLEX-OPEN ENVELOPE BLACK AS, VECTORPATCH 33-4019 (Corrosive; pH: 3.5), VECTOR 767 Plus 32-767E (Corrosive; pH: 3), and ADHESIN 32-3547. These products contain chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium nitrate, vinyl acetate, 2-propanol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium chloride. The employer did not perform a workplace hazard assessment, on or about 01/11/12 and 03/13/13.       ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): ):  The employer did not ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from liquid chemicals:     a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Envelope Printing Area. On a routine basis employee(s) work with, transfer, and pour products such as paste, adhesives, and inks to include ADHESIN 32-3568 (Corrosive; pH 4.5), FLEX-OPEN ENVELOPE BLACK AS, VECTORPATCH 33-4019 (Corrosive; pH: 3.5) , VECTOR 767 Plus 32-767E (Corrosive; pH: 3), and ADHESIN 32-3547. These products contain chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium nitrate, vinyl acetate, 2-propanol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium chloride. The employees did not use eye protection. The employer did not ensure that the employees use eye protection when exposed to eye of face hazards from liquid chemicals, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

Apr 18, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances and chemical burns:      a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. -Envelope Printing Area. On a routine basis employee(s) work with, transfer, and pour products such as paste, adhesives, and inks to include ADHESIN 32-3568 (Corrosive; pH 4.5), FLEX-OPEN ENVELOPE BLACK AS, VECTORPATCH 33-4019 (Corrosive; pH: 3.5), VECTOR 767 Plus 32-767E (Corrosive; pH: 3), and ADHESIN 32-3547. These products contain chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium nitrate, vinyl acetate, 2-propanol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium chloride. The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

Jul 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:    a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Envelope Printing Area. On a routine basis employee(s) work with, transfer, and pour products such as paste, adhesives, and inks to include ADHESIN 32-3568 (Corrosive; pH 4.5), FLEX-OPEN ENVELOPE BLACK AS, VECTORPATCH 33-4019 (Corrosive; pH: 3.5), VECTOR 767 Plus 32-767E (Corrosive; pH: 3), and ADHESIN 32-3547. These products contain chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium nitrate, vinyl acetate, 2-propanol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium chlorid  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19

Issued

Apr 8, 2013

Abate by

Jul 1, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area:      a) At the facility, 56-15 55th Drive, Maspeth, N.Y. - Production Workshop / RA Machine Area. On a routine basis employee(s) work with, transfer, and pour products such as paste, adhesives, and inks to include ADHESIN 32-3568 (Corrosive; pH 4.5), FLEX-OPEN ENVELOPE BLACK AS, VECTORPATCH 33-4019 (Corrosive; pH: 3.5), VECTOR 767 Plus 32-767E (Corrosive; pH: 3), and ADHESIN 32-3547. These products contain chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium nitrate, vinyl acetate, 2-propanol, glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, magnesium chlorid  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace, a written hazard communication program. The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, on or about 01/11/13 and 03/13/13.     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19