OSHA Inspection: PHOENIX BLOCK CO. LLC

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

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) Facility: On or about May 10, 2013: an employee operating a concrete block making machine and stacking block was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 103.4% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 90.2) which is approximately 2.068 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBa) Results are based on a 477 minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 3 minute period not sampled.    b) Facility: On or about May 10, 2013: an employee operating a concrete block making machine and stacking block was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 86.6% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 88.9) which is approximately 1.732 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBa) Results are based on a 480 minute sampling period conducted.  c) Facility: On or about May 10, 2013: an employee operating a concrete block making machine and stacking block was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 130.0% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 91.2) which is approximately 2.6 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBa) Results are based on a 376 minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 104 minute period not sampled.

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,200

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) Facility: On or about May 7, 2013: Employer did not have a written hazard communication program detailing the hazards of chemicals such as but not limited to sand (Silica) and lubricants used in the facility.

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Oct 3, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) Facility: On or about May 7, 2013: Employer did not train employees on the hazards of chemicals such as but not limited to sand (Silica) and lubricants used in the facility.

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Jan 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): The employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures in any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer:   a) Facility: On or about May 7, 2013: the employer required employees to use an N95 filtering face piece negative pressure respirator while cleaning the inside of a concrete mixer and did not have a written respiratory protection plan in place.

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Jan 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee(s) ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:   a) Facility: On or about May 7, 2013: the employer required employees to use an N95 filtering face piece negative pressure respirator while cleaning the inside of a concrete mixer and did not have employees medically evaluated prior to respirator use.

Issued

Sep 9, 2013

Abate by

Jan 15, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):  a) Facility: On or about May 7, 2013: the employer required employees to use N95 filtering face piece negative pressure respirators while cleaning the inside of a concrete mixer and did not ensure employees were trained on the care, maintenance, use and limitations of respirators.