OSHA Inspection: NEBRASKA RAILCAR CLEANING SERVICES, LLC

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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. Monitored employees in the following areas exceeded the action level:    A) An employee engaged in railcar cleaning was exposed to continuous noise of 99.8 A-weighted decibels or the equivalent dose of 390.7% for 387 minutes on 9/10/2013; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 93 minutes not sampled.    B) An employee working as an railcar estimator and hole watcher was exposed to continuous noise of 88.4 A-weighted decibels or the equivalent dose of 80.4% for 462 minutes on 9/10/2013; exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 18 minutes not sampled.    C) An employee engaged in scraping and concrete chipping was exposed to continuous noise of 91.5 A-weighted decibels or the equivalent dose of 123.8% for 463 minutes on 9/10/2013; exposure calculations include a zero incrrement for the 17 minutes not sampled.    D) An employee working as ground help during railcar cleaning was exposed to continuous noise of 87.9 A-weighted decibels or the equivalent dose of 75.6% for 464 minutes on 9/10/2013; expsoure calculations include a zero increment for the 16 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $816 Reduced

Hazardous substances 03200560106010801480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2): The employer did not implement a change schedule for respirators not equipped with an End of Service Life Indicator that would ensure cartridges were changed before the end of their service life.    Respirator cartridges were not changed out on a schedule based on objective data such as actual contaminant exposure level(s). Respirator cartridges, used on full face respirators during railcar tank cleaning operations, were often replaced because of the appearance of the adsorbent material.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0320070010601480

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(ii): Under the permit-required confined space program required by 29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4), the employer did not evaluate permit space conditions when entry operations were conducted by testing or monitoring the permit space as necessary.    Permit required space entrants did not monitor atmospheric conditions at appropriate intervals throughout the entry. On 9/10/2013, a four gas meter was used to monitor air quality before employee entree into a railcar tank, but air quality was not monitored during employee cleaning work in the railcar tank from approximately 4:30 a.m. until 8:15 a.m.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(1)(i): An employer who designated rescue and emergency services, pursuant to paragraph (d)(9) of this section, did not evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified.    The employer did not evaluate the local rescue/emergency services' ability/equipment/response time to effectively rescue employee(s) from the permit required confined space hazards of railcars entered for cleaning.

Issued

Nov 1, 2013

Abate by

Jul 30, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,020 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(k)(3)(i): Each authorized entrant did not use a chest or full body harness, with a retrieval line attached at the center of the entrant's back near shoulder level, or above the entrant's head.    Employee(s) entering the permit required confined space(s) of railcar tanks, did not remain attached to a retrieval line during cleaning and/or inspection activities.