OSHA Inspection: STERLING SHIPYARD, LP

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $7,812

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors were worn by any employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater and had not yet had a baseline audiogram established pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii):    a)  In the yard, on or about April 9, 2014, where a welder exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA was not wearing hearing protectors and had not had a baseline audiogram.  Noise sampling performed for 438 minutes indicated that the welder was exposed to 92.1% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 89.4 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $12,600 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    a) In the yard, on or about April 9, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for welders exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 424 minutes indicated that a welder was exposed to 241% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 96.3 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 56 minutes not sampled.    b) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitters exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 454 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 158.8% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 93.3 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 26 minutes not sampled.    c) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitters exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 456 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 116.5% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 91.1 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 24 minutes not sampled.    d) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitter helpers exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 445 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 94.72% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 89.6 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 35 minutes not sampled.    e)  In the yard, on or about April 9, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for welders exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 438 minutes indicated that a welder was exposed to 92.1% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 89.4 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.    f)  In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for forklift operators exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 436 minutes indicated that a forklift operator was exposed to 66.0% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 87.0 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 44 minutes not sampled.    Sterling Shipyard was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 908918, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on November 21, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 906 Main Street, Port Neches, Texas 77651.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Sep 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $12,600 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    a) In the yard, on or about April 9, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for welders exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 424 minutes indicated that a welder was exposed to 241% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 96.3 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 56 minutes not sampled.    b) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitters exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 454 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 158.8% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 93.3 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 26 minutes not sampled.    c) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitters exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 456 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 116.5% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 91.1 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 24 minutes not sampled.    d) In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for ship fitter helpers exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 445 minutes indicated that a ship fitter was exposed to 94.72% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 89.6 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 35 minutes not sampled.    e)  In the yard, on or about April 9, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for welders exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 438 minutes indicated that a welder was exposed to 92.1% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 89.4 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 42 minutes not sampled.    f)  In the yard, on or about April 10, 2014, where an audiometric testing program had not been established and implemented for forklift operators exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA.  Noise sampling performed for 436 minutes indicated that a forklift operator was exposed to 66.0% of noise dose which is equivalent to approximately 87.0 dBA.  Zero exposure was assumed for the 44 minutes not sampled.    Sterling Shipyard was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard, which was contained in OSHA inspection number 908918, citation number 1, item number 1a and was affirmed as a final order on November 21, 2013, with respect to a workplace located at 906 Main Street, Port Neches, Texas 77651.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,790 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(7): Oil lubricated compressor(s) used to supply breathing air did not have a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm(s) or both:    a) at the shipyard, in the repair area, an Ingersoll Rand, model 825, serial #04-0960, oil lubricated compressor used to supply breathing air did not have a high-temperature alarm or a carbon monoxide alarm.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $1,116 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.180(d)(4): Complete inspection(s) of crane(s) were not performed at intervals as generally defined in 1910.180(d)(2)(ii) with a determination made as to whether deficiencies constituted a safety hazard:     a) At the shipyard, frequent and periodic inspections had not been performed on an 80-ton capacity Manitowoc Crane, model number 3900, serial number 39296.     b)  At the shipyard, frequent and periodic inspections had not been performed on an 80-ton capacity Manitowoc Crane, model number 3900, serial number 39129.      d) At the shipyard, frequent and periodic inspections had not been performed on a 150-ton capacity Link Belt Crane, model number LS 518, serial number 4EW525.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,906 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(ii)(A): All 125-volt, single-phase, 15, 20 and 30-ampere receptacle outlets that were not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure and that were in use by personnel did not have ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI)  protection for personnel:    a) on March 26, 2014, at the facility, a DeWalt grinder was energized by a 125-volt single-phase, 15 ampere outlet without a GFCI on an electric Miller welding machine.    b)  on March 26, 2014, at the facility, a Roybi grinder and a IK-12 Beetle Torch were energized by a 125-volt single-phase, 15 ampere outlet without a GFCI on an electric Miller welding machine.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $2,790 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:    a) At the shipyard, main electrical east side plant, on the 480 volt breaker box part of the dead front was missing and unused openings for breakers had not been covered or effectively closed.    b) At the shipyard, main electrical east side plant, on the 120 volt breaker box unused openings for breakers had not been covered or effectively closed.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Aug 29, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,600 · Current $2,232 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1915.134(c): Portable abrasive wheels used for external grinding were not protected by a guard meeting the requirements of 1915.134(e):    a) In the yard, a hand-held, portable DeWalt, 120  VAC, 11,000 rpm, 4-1/2" angle grinder was not guarded.

Issued

Jul 11, 2014

Abate by

Jul 18, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(i)(5)(iv): The tag containing the most recent change to the sorbent beds was not kept or maintained at the compressor:  a) At the shipyard repair area, a tag containing the most recent change to the filter was not maintained at the compressor.