OSHA Inspection: ROHN PRODUCTS, LLC

Issued

Sep 5, 2014

Abate by

Oct 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $6,300

Hazardous substances 811081118130

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 1910.95(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:    Employees performing grinding/welding operations for pole fabrication were exposed to noise levels exceeding the 8-hour time weighed average of 85 decibels and the employer did not have a continuing, effective hearing conservation program in place. a. A grinder/welder in station 2 was exposed to continuous noise at 324.5% of the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 98.5 dBA during the 429 minute sampling period on 06/30/14; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 51 minutes not sampled).    b. A grinder/welder in station 3 was exposed to continuous noise at 178.9% of the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 94.2 dBA during the 424 minute sampling period on 06/30/14; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 56 minutes not sampled). c. A grinder/welder in station 5 was exposed to continuous noise at 142.8% of the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 92.6 dBA during the 358 minute sampling period on 06/30/14; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 122 minutes not sampled).    d. A grinder/welder in station 4 was exposed to continuous noise at 325% of the action level (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 98.5 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on 06/30/14; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 59 minutes not sampled).

Issued

Sep 5, 2014

Abate by

Oct 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,700 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 2587

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.    Employees were required to wear welding helmets with Powered Air Purifying Respirators while performing welding rework operations on galvanized steel and a written respiratory protection program had not been established by the employer to include the following provisions:  a) Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;  b) Medical evaluations for those employees required to wear respirators;  c) Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;  d) Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonable foreseeable emergency situations;  e) Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding and otherwise maintaining respirators;  f)  Procedures and schedules for changing cartridges and the method/means used to determine this schedule;  g) Training employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;  h) Training employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance;  i)  Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the respiratory protection program; and  j)  Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators.

Issued

Sep 5, 2014

Abate by

Oct 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2587

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:      Employees were required to wear welding helmets with Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) while performing welding rework operations on galvanized steel for steel pole fabrication and the employer did not provide medical evaluations before the employees were required to use the respirator in the workplace.

Issued

Sep 5, 2014

Abate by

Oct 23, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable training which did not occur annually and/or more often if necessary:       Employees were required to wear welding helmets with Powered Air Purifying Respirators while performing welding rework operations on galvanized steel and they were not provided with comprehensive training to ensure that employees understand and demonstrate the following:   ·   Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;   ·   What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;   ·   How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;   ·   How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator;   ·   What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;   ·   How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators

Issued

Sep 5, 2014

Abate by

Oct 1, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6): The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer.  Employees engaged in welding and grinding activities for pole fabrication were allowed to wear disposable comfort masks and the employer did not provide them with the information contained in Appendix D of the Respiratory Protection Standard.