OSHA Inspection: GULF MARINE FABRICATORS

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:  At this location: The employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program for employees engaged in workplace activities and exposed to noise levels in excess of the time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Employees were exposed to injury from contact with excessive noise while engaged in welding activities at the following locations:   a. Graving Dock Area: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 224% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 224% exposure is approximately 95.81 dBA. This exposure is 4.48 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 441 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 39 minutes.  b. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 257% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 257% exposure is approximately 96.79 dBA. This exposure is 5.14 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 480 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 0 minutes.  c. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 337% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 337% exposure is approximately 98.75 dBA. This exposure is 6.74 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 285 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 195 minutes.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:  At this location: The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program for employees engaged in workplace activities and exposed to noise levels in excess of the time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Employees were exposed to injury from contact with excessive noise while engaged in welding activities at the following locations:   a. Graving Dock Area: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 224% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 224% exposure is approximately 95.81 dBA. This exposure is 4.48 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 441 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 39 minutes.  b. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 257% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 257% exposure is approximately 96.79 dBA. This exposure is 5.14 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 480 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 0 minutes.  c. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 337% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 337% exposure is approximately 98.75 dBA. This exposure is 6.74 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 285 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 195 minutes.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  At this location: The employer did not train employees engaged in workplace activities and exposed to noise levels in excess of the time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Employees were exposed to injury from contact with excessive noise while engaged in welding activities at the following locations:   a. Graving Dock Area: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 224% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 224% exposure is approximately 95.81 dBA. This exposure is 4.48 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 441 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 39 minutes.   b. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 257% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 257% exposure is approximately 96.79 dBA. This exposure is 5.14 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 480 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 0 minutes.  c. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 337% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 337% exposure is approximately 98.75 dBA. This exposure is 6.74 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 285 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 195 minutes.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1)(i): Electrical equipment was not suitable for installation and use in conformity with the provisions of this subpart. Note to paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section: Suitability of equipment for an identified purpose may be evidenced by listing or labeling for that identified purpose.  At this location: Employees engaged in welding activities were exposed to shock hazards from contact with energized, portable cables secured to the enclosure for Receptacle/Disconnect Switch #1 whose strain relief devices were not listed or labeled for the identified purpose; and in violation of the National Electrical Code--Article 400.3-Suitability. The installed device was located at a height of 50 1/2 inches above the workplace floor, used with the portable rubber electrical cable that operated at 480 volts AC; and powered portable welding machines/other equipment at the worksite.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(7)(i): Unused openings in boxes, raceways, auxiliary gutters, cabinets, equipment cases, or housings were not effectively closed to afford protection substantially equivalent to the wall of the equipment.  At this location: Employees engaged in workplace activities were exposed to shock hazards from contact with  disconnect switch parts inside the following enclosures that contained unused openings and operated at 480 volts AC:   a. Receptacle/Disconnect #1, Bottom Side-West End of Disconnect Installation: the disconnect contained an installed, unused flexible metal box connector with an exposed enclosure opening, at a height of 50 1/2 inches above the workplace floor,  b. Receptacle/Disconnect #3. bottom side-center area of disconnect installation: the disconnect enclosure contained an unused opening that measured 1 3/4 inches in diameter, at a height of 45 1/2 inches above the workplace floor.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3000.00 · Current $1800.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): Flexible cords and cables were not connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief was provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws.  At this location: Employees engaged in welding activities were exposed to shock hazards from contact with energized, portable cables not provided with strain relief protection. The cable operated at 480 volts AC; and exited the bottom of the enclosure for Receptacle/Disconnect Switch #5, at a height of 50 1/2 inches above the workplace floor.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1000.00 · Current $600.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(j)(2): Hearing protectors did not attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90 decibels as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b):  At this location: The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors worn by employees engaged in workplace activities attenuated the employee exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90 decibels as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b). Employees were exposed to injury from contact with excessive noise while engaged in sandblasting activities at the following locations:  a. South Yard, TSB Structure: an employee was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 1999% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 90 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 1999% exposure is approximately 111.60 dBA. This exposure is 19.99 times the Permissible Exposure Level of 90 dBA (90 dBA for 8 hours is 100% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 338 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 142 minutes.  b. South Yard, TSB Structure: an employee was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 1999% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 90 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 1999% exposure is approximately 116.60 dBA. This exposure is 1999 times the Permissible Exposure Level Level of 90 dBA (90 dBA for 8 hours is 100% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 364 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 116 minutes.

Issued

2013-11-07 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-12-09 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1): The employer did not post of copy of 29 CFR 1910.95 in the workplace:  At this location: The employer did not post a copy of 29 CFR 1910.95 in the workplace for employees engaged in workplace activities and exposed to noise levels in excess of the time-weighted average of 85 decibels. Employees were exposed to injury from contact with excessive noise while engaged in welding activities at the following locations:   a. Graving Dock Area: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 224% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 224% exposure is approximately 95.81 dBA. This exposure is 4.48 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 441 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 39 minutes.  b. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 257% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 257% exposure is approximately 96.79 dBA. This exposure is 5.14 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 480 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 0 minutes.    c. Fabrication Shop: a welder was exposed to continuous and intermittent noise at 337% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted sound level of 85 dBA (80 dBA threshold). The equivalent noise level of this 337% exposure is approximately 98.75 dBA. This exposure is 6.74 times the Action Level of 85 dBA (85 dBA for 8 hours is 50% of the allowable dose). The noise sampling was conducted on May 29, 2013, for 285 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 195 minutes.