OSHA Inspection: LFC INDUSTRIES INC. A DIV. OF RKR TECHNOLOGIES, LTD

Issued

Aug 6, 2014

Abate by

Sep 11, 2014

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,940 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.  An employee who operated header machines in the Heading Department across from the Quality Department was exposed to noise levels at 75.2% of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted-average sound level, 90 dBA.  The equivalent dBA level of the 75.2% is approximately 87.94 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one work shift on June 25, 2014.  B. An employee who operated the Centerless Grinder and who also roved to different machines as needed was exposed to noise levels at 124.8% of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted-average sound level, 90 dBA.  The equivalent dBA level of the 124.8% is approximately 90.6 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 474 minutes during one work shift on June 25, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period of 6 minutes.  C.  An employee who operated thread roller machines near the raw material storage area was exposed to noise levels at 132.0% of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted-average sound level, 90 dBA.  The equivalent dBA level of the 132.0% is approximately 92.0 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one work shift on June 25, 2014.  D.  An employee who operated thread roller machines near the Maintenance area was exposed to noise levels at 123.6% of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted-average sound level, 90 dBA.  The equivalent dBA level of the 123.6% is approximately 91.5 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one work shift on June 25, 2014.  E.  An employee who operated Trimmer machines was exposed to noise levels at 93.4% of the allowable eight-hour time-weighted-average sound level, 90 dBA.  The equivalent dBA level of the 93.4% is approximately 89.5 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one work shift on June 25, 2014.

Issued

Aug 6, 2014

Abate by

Sep 4, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use.  On or about February 19, 2014, an employee in the Plating Department who was required to wear a half-mask chemical cartridge respirator was exposed to inhalation hazards from plating compounds that contained corrosive materials and heavy metals such as chromic acid, cadmium, and nickel.