OSHA Inspection: RGM HARDWOODS, INC.

Issued

Jun 25, 2014

Abate by

Sep 28, 2014

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $1,020 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:  a) An employee, working as Re-Saw #2 operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 477% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8-hour time-weighted average of 101.3 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 394 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.  The employer did not utilize feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce sound levels for those employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA, on or about June 4, 2014.    b) An employee, working as Re-Saw #1 operator and Edger operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 402% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8-hour time-weighted average of 101.1 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 400 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.  The employer did not utilize feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce sound levels for those employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA, on or about June 4, 2014.    c) An employee, working as Edger operator and Trimmer operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 147.7% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8-hour time-weighted average of 92.8 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 391 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.  The employer did not utilize feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce sound levels for those employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA, on or about June 4, 2014.    d) An employee, working as Trimmer operator and Stacker, was exposed to continuous noise at 140.0 % of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8-hour time-weighted average of 92.4 dBA.  This exposure was observed over a 390 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled.  The employer did not utilize feasible administrative or engineering controls to reduce sound levels for those employees exposed over the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA, on or June 4, 2014.   ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED       Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include, but are not limited to the following:    1. Enclose the operator stations at the Re-Saws.      2. Enclose the chipper located on the lower level.    ABATEMENT NOTE:    Step 1:  A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to noise as referenced in this citation.  This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:    1) Evaluation of engineering control options;    2) Selection of optimum control method and completion of design;    3) Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures;    4) Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.    All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.  30-day progress reports are required during the abatement period.    Step 2:  Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.    Date by which violates must be abated:  Step 1  (Peggy, 30 days)    Date by which violates must be abated:  Step 2  (Peggy, 90 days)