OSHA Inspection: YANK WASTE CO., INC.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subject to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:      (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the front room, for an employee watching the operation and activating the baler, to shred paper that was exposed to a dose of 214% measured on a 80 dBA threshold dosimeter. The equivalent sound level is 95 dBA. Sampling was conducted for 355 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for 125 minutes to total 480 minutes. Feasible administrative and engineering controls included but were not limited developing a schedule of rotation for this position and moving the employer as far away from the auger as possible, after evaluating all safety concerns, by extending the cord on the activation button.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :   (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the front room, for an employee watching the operation and activating the baler, to shred paper that was exposed to a dose of 214% measured on a 80 dBA threshold dosimeter. The equivalent sound level is 95 dBA. Sampling was conducted for 355 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for 125 minutes to total 480 minutes. This employee was last administered an audiometric test on November 30, 2010.  (b) On or about July 8, 2013, in the front room, for an employee identified as the baler man was exposed to a dose of 65.2% measured on a 80 dBA threshold dosimeter. The equivalent sound level is 86.9 dBA. Sampling was conducted for 351 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for 129 minutes to total 480 minutes. This employee was last administered an audiometric test on November 30, 2010.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(2): The training program was not repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program. Information in the training program was not updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes:  (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the front room, for an employee watching the operation and activating the baler, to shred paper that was exposed to a dose of 214% measured on a 80 dBA threshold dosimeter. The equivalent sound level is 95 dBA. Sampling was conducted for 355 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for 125 minutes to total 480 minutes.   (b) On or about July 8, 2013, in the front room, for an employee identified as the baler man was exposed to a dose of 65.2% measured on a 80 dBA threshold dosimeter. The equivalent sound level is 86.9 dBA. Sampling was conducted for 351 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for 129 minutes to total 480 minutes.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1020(g)(1)(i): Upon an employee's first entering into employment, and at least annually thereafter, each employer did not inform current employees of the existence, location and availability of any records covered by this section:  (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the facility, for the audiometric test records maintained by the employer.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1020(g)(1)(i): Upon an employee's first entering into employment, and at least annually thereafter, each employer did not inform current employees of the person responsible for maintaining and providing access to these records:  (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the facility, for the audiometric test records maintained by the employer.

Issued

Jul 29, 2013

Abate by

Aug 16, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1020(g)(1)(iii): Upon an employee's first entering into employment, and at least annually thereafter, each employer did not inform current employees of each employee's rights of access to these records:  (a) On or about July 8, 2013, in the facility, for the audiometric test records maintained by the employer.