OSHA Inspection: W.W. PALLET CO.

Issued

Jan 30, 2014

Abate by

Mar 28, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 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 1910.9(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)  On the Production Floor - OSHA noise dosimetry conducted on November 7, 2013, identified six (6) employees exposed in excess of the OSHA Action Level (AL) , and three (3) of these were exposed in excess of the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), and the employer had not established nor implemented an effective hearing conservation program.            A Band Saw Operator employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 411 minutes, at a level of approximately 190% of the allowable dose, using the 90 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 94.6 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA PEL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.           A Bottom Repair employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 448 minutes, at a level of approximately 184% of the allowable dose, using the 90 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 94.4 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA PEL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.           A Rebuilder employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 452 minutes, at a level of approximately 168% of the allowable dose, using the 90 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 93.7 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA PEL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.           An End Trim Saw Operator employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 445 minutes, at a level of approximately 125% of the allowable dose, using the 80 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 91.6 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA AL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.             A Slat Trim Saw Operator employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 447 minutes, at a level of approximately 87% of the allowable dose, using the 80 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 89.0 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA AL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.             A Sorter employee was sampled for occupational noise exposure on November 7, 2013, for 447 minutes, at a level of approximately 66% of the allowable dose, using the 80 dB criterion level.  This exposure was equivalent to an exposure of approximately 87.0 dBA 8-hr. TWA, in excess of the OSHA AL.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.     Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement. Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Jan 30, 2014

Abate by

Feb 26, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $720 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1): Portable fire extinguishers were not mounted, located and identified so that they were readily accessible without subjecting the employees to injuries:    a)  In the southeast corner of the Production Floor - On or about November 7, 2013, the fire extinguisher was not mounted or readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury in that the forklift was parked before the fire extinguisher on the table saw and another fire extinguisher was stored under the table saw behind a box.      Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.