OSHA Inspection: TEXAS COUPLINGS, LLP

Issued

Jul 31, 2013

Abate by

Sep 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,100 Reduced

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 1910.95(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:      The employer does not ensure that a continuing, effective hearing conservation program is instituted when employee noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.        a)  A CNC operator was exposed to continuous noise levels at 93% of the permissible daily noise exposure or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.4 dBA during the 479 minute sampling period on 6-7-13; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the one minute not sampled.      b)  A saw operator was exposed to continuous noise levels at 81% of the permissible daily noise exposure or an equivalent sound level of approximately 88.4 dBA during the 480 minute sampling period on 6-7-13.          c)  A plating employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 79.7% of the permissible daily noise exposure or an equivalent sound level of approximately 88.3 dBA during the 478 minute sampling period on 6-7-13; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 2 minutes not sampled.        Pursuant to 29 C.F.R. 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the abatement date, the employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with the standard, including describing the steps that it is taking to ensure that a continuing, effective hearing conservation program is instituted when employee noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.