OSHA Inspection: FOSS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC

Issued

Oct 17, 2013

Abate by

Nov 13, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,690 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii): Where mobile test vans were used to meet the audiometric testing obligation, the employer did not obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level:         a.     DILO Line - An employee hired as a temporary worker on June 6, 2012, who had since become a permanent employee, was not provided with a baseline audiogram within one year of the employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level.   On or about June 20, 2013, this employee was exposed to noise levels at 144.6% of the action level of 85 dBA.  The equivalent level of the 144.6% is approximately 92.7 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 443 minutes during one work shift on June 20, 2013.         b.     Line A - An employee hired as a temporary worker on May 31, 2012, who had since become a permanent employee, was not provided with a baseline audiogram within one year of the employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level.  Representative employee monitoring at Line A on June 20, 2013, showed a noise level of 94.6 dBA (104.6% of the dose).           c.     Line J - An employee hired as a temporary worker on April 19, 2012, who had since become a permanent employee, was not provided with a baseline audiogram within one year of the employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level.  Representative employee monitoring at Line J on June 20, 2013, showed a noise level of 92.3 dBA (128.1% of the dose).         d.     Line B - An employee hired as a temporary worker on March 13, 2012, who had since become a permanent employee, was not provided with a baseline audiogram within one year of the employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level.  The employer's monitoring of Line B on February 13, 2013, and February 27, 2013, indicated sound level meter readings of 97 - 98 dB.  Representative employee monitoring of Line C (similar noise levels to Line B) on June 20, 2013, showed a noise level of 101.4 dBA (425% of the dose).    Abatement Note: All production areas were designated by the employer as Hearing Conservation Program areas, with hearing protection required.  All employees working in these areas, whether temporary or permanent, must be provided with a baseline audiogram in accordance with 1910.95(g) within 6 months of an employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level, OR if using a mobile test van, within one year of an employee's first exposure to noise at or above the action level, regardless of whether or not they are offered permanent employment.

Issued

Oct 17, 2013

Abate by

Nov 21, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,690 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B):   When a standard threshold shift occurred that was determined to be work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure that employees already using hearing protectors were refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors, and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation, if necessary:              a.     Throughout facility - In November 2012, four employees who experienced a Standard Threshold Shift in hearing as compared to their baseline audiogram had not been retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided and/or refitted, if necessary, with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation.           b.     Throughout facility - In September 2011, five employees who experienced a Standard Threshold Shift in hearing as compared to their baseline audiogram had not been retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided and/or refitted, if necessary, with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation.          c.     Throughout facility - In October 2010, two employees who experienced a Standard Threshold Shift in hearing as compared to their baseline audiogram had not been retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided and/or refitted, if necessary, with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation.

Issued

Oct 17, 2013

Abate by

Oct 29, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:       a.     Establishment - The employer had not posted a copy of 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, in the workplace for all affected employees in the facility who were covered under this standard.