OSHA Inspection: GREAT SOUTHERN PEANUT, LLC

Issued

Mar 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances M110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms or service rooms were not kept clean and orderly or in a sanitary condition.    a) In the Clean Room, on or about, and at times proceeding to September 25th, 2013, the employer failed to ensure that all elevated surfaces were free of hazardous accumulations of combustible peanut dust, exposing employees to fire and combustion, explosion, and deflagration hazards.

Issued

Mar 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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 1910.9(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:    a)  In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about September 25, 2013 and at times prior to, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for a forklift operator who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 89.1 dBA during the 453 minute sampling period, which is 1.76 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.    b)  In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about September 25, 2013 and at times prior to, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 89.0 dBA during the 437 minute sampling period, which is 1.75 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.    c)  In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about September 25, 2013 and at times prior to, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 93.0 dBA during the 448 minute sampling period, which is 3.07 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.    d) In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about September 25, 2013 and at times prior to, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 88.1 dBA during the 443 minute sampling period, which is 1.54 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.                                                                     e) In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about September 25, 2013 and at times prior to, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90.3 dBA during the 434 minute sampling period, which is 2.09 times the Action Level of 85 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.    An effective hearing conservation program [see CFR 1910.95(c) through (n)] shall include at a  minimum [for all employees exposed to noise levels with 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)  of 85 dBA] the following elements:       1. Representative noise sampling to determine who must be included in the hearing       conservation program [see 1910.95(d)]       2. The notification of employees exposed to the above noise levels [see 1910.95(e)]       3. Employee observation of the above monitoring [see 1910.95(f)]       4. A baseline audiogram for all employees exposed to noise levels equal to or in excess       of the 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA [see 1910.95(g)]       5. Yearly audiograms for each overexposed employee.  These audiograms shall meet the       requirements of 1910.95(h). Testing shall be performed on instruments that meet the       performance and calibration requirements of 1910.95(h) and appendices C,D,and E of       6. A variety of hearing protectors made available to all overexposed employees [see       1910.95(i)]. Hearing protection mandatory for employees exposed to noise levels above       90 dBA [see 1910.95(j)]       7. A training program emphasizing the following: the purpose of fitting, advantages and       disadvantages of hearing protectors, the purpose and explanation of audiometric testing,       and the effects of noise [see 1910.95(k)]       8. Employee access to copies of the noise standard (1910.95) and information pertaining       to the standard [see 1910.95(l)].       9. Maintenance of employee exposure records and access to those records [see 1910.95(n)  1

Issued

Mar 17, 2014

Abate by

Mar 25, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) to wear personal protective equipment:    a) In the Peanut Shelling Plant, on or about and at times preceding to September 25, 2013, the operator who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 92.4 dBA during the 448 minute sampling, was not utilizing hearing protection, which is 1.4 times the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA, resulting in a progressive hearing loss hazard.

Issued

Mar 17, 2014

Abate by

Apr 8, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  (a) In the Peanut Processing Plant, on or about, and at times preceding to September 25, 2013, the employer did not implement a written respiratory protection program for employees who were required to utilize a one half mask N95 Gateway True Air respirator when bagging, and cleaning.  A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements:       1.  Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of the       respirators.       2.  Only approved respirators shall be used.  Respirators shall be selected on the basis       of hazards to which the worker is exposed.       3.  Respirators must be provided free of charge where respirators are needed to protect       the health of the employees.       4.  Employers must provide (free of charge) a medical evaluation to determine each       employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use.       5.  Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using a negative       or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA       or where the employer requires the use of such respirator.      6.  The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their       limitations.       7.  Surveillance of the work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress       shall be conducted.       8.  Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect       the health of the employees.       9.  Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary       condition.       10. Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and       contamination.