OSHA Inspection: DELTA HARDWOOD FLOORING, INC.

Issued

Feb 26, 2014

Abate by

Apr 2, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,000 Reduced

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) Throughout the facility, on or about 2/4/14: A planar operator was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 92.1 decibels (dBA) during the 317 minute sampling period. A zero increment was included for the 163 minutes not sampled. No hearing conservation program was in effect.      b) Throughout the facility, on or about 2/4/14: An end matcher was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 89.1  decibels (dBA) during the 301 minute sampling period. A zero increment was included for the 179 minutes not sampled. No hearing conservation program was in effect.     c) Throughout the facility, on or about 2/4/14: A lumber stacker was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 88.1 decibels (dBA) during the 300 minute sampling period. A zero increment was included for the 180 minutes not sampled. No hearing conservation program was in effect.    An effective hearing conservation program includes, but is not limited to:    1) Providing a baseline audiogram, and subsequent annual audiograms, for employees exposed to noise above an 8 -hour time weighted average (8-hr. TWA) of 85 decibels (dBA).    2) Providing an option to use hearing protectors for employees exposed to noise above an 8-hr.TWA of 85 dBA.    3) Providing a choice of hearing protectors for employee use.    4) Requiring the use of hearing protectors for all employees exposed to noise above 90 dBA, based on an 8-hr. TWA, and for employees with hearing loss that are exposed to noise above 85 dBA, based on an 8-hr. TWA.    5) Supervising the use of hearing protectors.    6) Posting a copy of the OSHA Noise standard, 29 CFR 1910.95, in the work place. and    7) Training employees exposed to noise above 85 dBA, based on an 8-hr. TWA, on hearing conservation.        Abatement certification must be submitted for this item.