OSHA Inspection: VALLOUREC STAR LP

Issued

Jul 14, 2014

Abate by

Aug 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible engineering controls were not utilized:  On or about June 24, 2014, a dosimeter (sn: NLH090056) was placed on an employee for 448 minutes. The employee was exposed to noise at 269% of the permissible daily exposure limit, with an equivalent time-weighted average sound level of 97.1 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 32 minutes not sampled.     On or about June 24, 2014, a dosimeter (sn: NLI120008) was placed on an employee for 441 minutes. The employee was exposed to noise at 257% of the permissible daily exposure limit, with an equivalent time-weighted average sound level of 96.8 dBA. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 39 minutes not sampled.   Controls usually applicable in these circumstances include but are not limited to:  1. Installation of an enclosure or barrier.  2. Installation of a camera system to remove employees from the immediate area.   Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measure to control employee exposure 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     Step 2: All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Thirty day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Abatement must be completed by 30 days.     Step 3: Abatement should be completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls. Verification must be provided, and should include noise monitoring results showing levels of noise below the permissible exposure limit. Abatement must be completed by 60 days.