OSHA Inspection: RIVERWOOD FLOORING & PANELING INC.

Issued

Mar 6, 2014

Abate by

May 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $850 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 Scragg Saw area, on or about and at times prior to January 8, 2014, the employer did not implement a hearing conservation program for an employee who operated the Trim Saw and was exposed to a dose of 74.06% or the equivalent time weighted average of 87.5 decibels on the A scale (dBA) for a total time of 392 minutes, which was above the action level of 85 dBA, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with hearing loss.      b) In the Scragg Saw area, on or about and at times prior to January 8, 2014, the employer did not implement a hearing conservation program for an employee who operated a Scragg Saw and was overexposed to noise at dose of 79.85% or an equivalent time weighted average of 88.3 dBA for a total time of 396 minutes, which was above the action level of 85 dBA, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with hearing loss.      ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED     Abatement Note:       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 an 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 ro in excess of an       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 an calibration requirements of 1910.95(h) and appendices C,D, and E of 1910.95.               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 191.95(k)].               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(l)].               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(m)].