OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN SOUTHERN FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:Note:  Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.    a) In the production area at the notcher, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not ensure a working platform that measured seventy four inches from the ground level was equipped with a guarding system to prevent falls, exposing employees to the hazards associated with broken bones, lacerations, sprains, and bruises.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Apr 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 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) In the production facility, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not establish a hearing conservation program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 87 decibels on the A scale (dBA) or an equivalent dose of 66.17% for a total run time of 190 minutes, which exceeded the permissible exposure level of 85 dBA, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with temporary hearing loss.       An effective hearing conservation program [See CFR 1910.95(c) through (n)] shall include, at   a minimum [for all employees exposed to noise levels with an 8-hour time-weighted average   (TWA) of 85 dBA] the following elements:       1.  Representative noise sampling to determine who must be included in the hearing conservation   program [see 1910.95(d)].       2.  The notification of employees exposed to the above noise levels [see 1910.95(e)].       3.  Employee observation of the above monitoring [see 1910.95(f)].       4.  A baseline audiogram for all employees exposed to noise levels equal to or in excess of an   8-hour TWA of 85 dBA [see 1910.95(g)].       5.  Yearly audiograms for each overexposed employee.  These audiograms shall meet the   requirements of 1910.95(h).  Testing shall be performed on instruments that meet the   performance and calibration requirements of 1910.95(h) and appendices C,D, and E of 1910.95.       6.  A variety of hearing protectors made available to all overexposed employees [see   1910.95(i)].  Hearing protection mandatory for employees exposed to noise levels above 90 dBA   [see 191.95(k)].       7.  A training program emphasizing the following: the purpose of fitting, advantages and   disadvantages of hearing protectors, the purpose and explanation of audiometric testing, and the   effects of noise [see 1910.95(l)].       8.  Employee access to copies of the noise standard (1910.95) and information pertaining to the   standard [see 1910.95(l)].       9.  Maintenance of employee exposure records and access to those records [see 1910.95(m)].

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Feb 27, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): The employer did not establish a program consisting of an energy control procedure, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performed any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative:            a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not ensure that a lockout tagout program was established for an employee who performed work such as, but not limited to changing saw blades, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with amputation and lacerations.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not provide for the information contained in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134 to employees who voluntarily wore dust masks during housekeeping activities.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Feb 27, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that each operator had successfully completed the training consisting of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not provide for a comprehensive powered industrial truck (forklift) training program for an employee who operated a propane powered CAT forklift.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not implement and maintain a written hazard communication program for employees who used chemicals such as, but not limited to oil, grease, and propane throughout the work day.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): The employer did not have a material safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical which they used:  a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not maintain the Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals such as, but not limited to oil, grease, and propane maintained at the facility.

Issued

Jan 9, 2015

Abate by

Jan 22, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) In the production area, on or about and at times prior to September 4, 2014, the employer did not provide for training on the chemicals such as, but not limited to oils, grease, and propane for employees who used the chemicals while performing certain duties during the course of their work.