OSHA Inspection: GEORG FISCHER CENTRAL PLASTICS LLC. PIPE AND FABRICATION

Issued

Nov 7, 2013

Abate by

Nov 28, 2013

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer does not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:      The employer does not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or equivalently a dose of fifty percent. This violation occurred on June 13, 2013, when the employer did not administered a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise that exceeded an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA.        a.    In the pipe plant, an extruder operator was exposed to continuous noise levels at 87.19% of the permissible 8-hour TWA (90dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 87.19% is approximately 89.0 dBA.  Sample was performed for 473 minutes during one shift.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 7 minutes.      b.    In the fabrication shop, a chainsaw operator was exposed to continuous noise levels at 85.43% of the permissible 8-hour TWA (90dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 85.43% is approximately 88.0 dBA.  Sample was performed for 480 minutes during one shift      c.     In the pipe plant, a grinder was exposed to continuous noise levels at 84.25% of the permissible 8-hour TWA (90dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 84.25% is approximately 88.7 dBA.  Sample was performed for 440 minutes during one shift.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of 40 minutes.