OSHA Inspection: L & L HARDWOODS, INC

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.     a. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 248% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 96.6 dBA for the 438 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 42 minutes not sampled.    b. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 137.5% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.3 dBA for the 436 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 44 minutes not sampled.     c. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 146% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.7 dBA for the 438 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 42 minutes not sampled.     d. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 143.7% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 90 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.5 dBA for the 442 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 38 minutes not sampled.       e. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 73.5% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 80 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA for the 440 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.    f. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 148.1 % of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 80 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 92.8 dBA for the 436 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 44 minutes not sampled.    g. An employee in the production area was exposed to continuous noise at 81.1% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 80 dB threshold, or equivalent sound level of approximately 88.5 dBA for the 427 minute sampling time on July 7, 2014. Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 53 minutes not sampled      The employer had not implemented a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(d)(1)(iii): On stairways less than 44 inches wide having both sides open, one stair railing on each side.     a.  On or about June 11, 2014,  outside by the small dust collector,  the stairway to access the waste semi trailer did not have a stair railing exposing employees to fall hazards.

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(e)(1): A standard railing shall consist of top rail, intermediate rail, and posts, and shall have a vertical height of 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. The top rail shall be smooth-surfaced throughout the length of the railing. The intermediate rail shall be approximately halfway between the top rail and the floor, platform, runway, or ramp. The ends of the rails shall not overhang the terminal posts except where such overhang does not constitute a projection hazard.     a. On or about June 11, 2014, outside by the small dust collector, the platform to access the waste trailer was missing the intermediate rail exposing employees to potential falls.       b. On or about June 11, 2014, outside by the large dust collector, the platform to access the waste trailer was missing the intermediate rail exposing employees to potential falls.

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:       a. On or about June 11, 2014, in the work area, the employees were required to work with chemicals such as, but not limited to, propane and combustible wood dust.  The employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program.

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and material safety data sheets.   a. On or about June 11,  2014, in the work area, the employees were not trained in the hazards associated with chemicals such as, but not limited to, lubricants and wood dust.

Issued

Sep 25, 2014

Abate by

Nov 13, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(1): The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces.  NOTE: Proper application of the decision flow chart in Appendix A to section 1910.146 would facilitate compliance with this requirement.    a. On or about June 11, 2014, in the plant, the employer did not evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces such as but not limited to, the dust collectors, were permit required confined spaces.