OSHA Inspection: KEADLE LUMBER ENTERPRISES, INC.

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Oct 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $4,043 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:   The employer failed to implement a monitoring program that included an initial determination of employees exposure to noise levels in excess of the PEL (permissible exposure limit) of 90 decibels (dBA). Employees were exposed to the hazard of hearing loss while performing assigned work activity involving the planer mill operations.   a) Planer Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 324 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 98.5 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 240 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.   b) Stick Rack Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 232 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 96.0 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 247 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.   c) A Stacker Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 346 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 98.9 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 253 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.   d) A Grader Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 209 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 95.3 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 233 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.   e) A Stacker Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 157.8 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 93.2 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 240 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.   f) A Stacker operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 142.1 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 92.5 % decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 259 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Oct 2, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $4,043 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:   The employer failed to implement an audiometric testing program that included an initial baseline test and annual audiometric testing for employees exposed to noise levels in excess of the PEL (permissible exposure limit) of 90 decibels (dBA). Employees were exposed to the hazard of hearing loss while performing assigned work activity involving the planer mill operations.   a) Planer Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 324 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 98.5 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 240 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.    b) Stick Rack Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 232 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 96.0 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 247 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.    c) A Stacker Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 346 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 98.9 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 253 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.    d) A Grader Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 209 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 95.3 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 233 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.    e) A Stacker Operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 157.8 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 93.2 decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 240 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.    f) A Stacker operator was exposed to continuous noise levels of 142.1 % dose of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average of 90 decibels (dBA). The equivalent dBA level was approximately 92.5 % decibels (dBA). A sampling survey was conducted on May 16, 2013 for approximately 259 minutes. A zero time exposure was assumed for the period of time that was not sampled.

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Aug 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,888 Reduced

Hazardous substances D150

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(9)(i): Maintenance and operating practices did not control leakage and prevent accidental escape of flammable or combustible liquids:  a) Saw Mill: The employer failed to ensure that leakage of ,an approximately 100 gallon tank of diesel fuel, was cleaned up immediately. Employees were exposed to the hazards of a fire/explosion while filling and/dispensing the fuel for operation of industrial equipment.

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Aug 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,733 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces:   a) Dust Collector: The employer failed to post danger signs or other means to warn employees that the dust collector was a confined space. Employees and/or contracted workers were exposed to engulfment, inhalation hazards, oxygen deficient atmospheres and other hazards while performing maintenance and other duties for the processing of lumber in the saw and planer mill.   ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Sep 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $4,043 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(i): Design, construction, and maintenance. Blower collecting, and exhaust systems should be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with American National Standards Z33.1-1961 (For the Installation of Blower and Exhaust Systems for Dust, Stock, and Vapor Removal or Conveying) and Z12.2-1962 (R1969) (Code for the Prevention of Dust Explosion in Woodworking and Wood Flour Manufacturing Plants), which are incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6.  a) Dust Collector Area: The employer failed to ensure that grounding and/or bonding was maintained on the dust collector to dissipate static electricity. The dust collector was utilized to transport and capture fugitive wood dust generated from the planer. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving the processing of lumber. A sample taken on May 16, 2013 was determined to be CLASS II combustible dust.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Aug 27, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $4,043 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(ii): Machine(s) that created dust, shavings, chips, or slivers during a period of time equal to or greater than one-fourth of the working day were not equipped with collecting system(s) to remove refuse from the point of operation and the immediate vicinities of machines and work areas.   a) Planer Mill: The employer failed to ensure that the piping and collection system on the planer did not leak and allow the combustible dust to accumulate on the floor of the work area. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving the processing of lumber. A sample taken on May 16, 2013 was determined to be CLASS II combustible dust.       ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED

Issued

Aug 15, 2013

Abate by

Sep 11, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,390 · Current $4,043 Reduced

Hazardous substances E200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemials in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) Planer Mill: The employer failed to ensure that all employees were provided training on the hazards of combustible dust. Employees were exposed to a fire/explosion hazard while performing duties involving the processing of lumber. A sample taken on May 16, 2013 was determined to be CLASS II combustible dust.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED