OSHA Inspection: FANSTEEL INC.

Issued

Nov 14, 2014

Abate by

Jan 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $1,800 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, that for employees already using hearing protectors, employees be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:          a.)    Fansteel, Inc. dba American Sintered Technologies, 513 E. 2nd Street, Emporium, PA 15834, on or about October 8th, 2014, and times prior thereto:  The employer did not institute a continuing effective hearing conservation program when employee noise exposures exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.  An employee, (Sintering Technician) was exposed to noise at a level of 81.10% of the allowable limit during a 440 minute sampling period on October 8, 2014.  This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 88.9 dBA for the dose and time of the employee exposure.  The employer failed to conduct refitting and retraining on hearing protectors for an employee who experienced a Standard Threshold Shift.  Additionally, the employer did not determine if the employee required hearing protection with greater attenuation.

Issued

Nov 14, 2014

Abate by

Jan 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(2): The training program was not repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program:           a.)    Fansteel, Inc. dba American Sintered Technologies, 513 E. 2nd Street, Emporium, PA 15834, on or about October 8th, 2014, and times prior thereto:  The employer did not annually train each employee on the proper use and fitting of hearing protection who were exposed to the noise that exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.  An employee, (Sintering Technician) was exposed to noise at a level of 81.10 % of the allowable limit during a 440 minute sampling period on October 8, 2014.  This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 88.9 dBA for the dose and time of the employee exposure.  Employees who were included in the Employer's Hearing Conservation Program were not trained on the proper use, and fitting of hearing protection as evidence by the improper use of hearing protection onsite.

Issued

Nov 14, 2014

Abate by

Jan 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(5): The employer did not ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors:           a.)    Fansteel, Inc. dba American Sintered Technologies, 513 E. 2nd Street, Emporium, PA 15834, on or about October 8th, 2014:  The employer did not institute a continuing effective hearing conservation program when employee noise exposures exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.  An employee, (Sintering Technician) was exposed to noise at a level of 81.10% of the allowable limit during a 440 minute sampling period on October 8, 2014.  The Employer did not ensure that employees were wearing their Moldex Brand 6604 ear plugs properly.  An employee's ear plug was not inserted/used correctly as it was observed not fully inserted into the employee's ear canal.

Issued

Nov 14, 2014

Abate by

Jan 31, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7): Powered industrial truck(s) which were used on a round-the-clock basis were not examined for defects after each shift:       a.)    Fansteel, Inc. dba American Sintered Technologies, 513 E. 2nd Street, Emporium, PA 15834, on or about October 8th, 2014, and times prior thereto:  Employees operated a Komatsu FT2 model # FG35ST-7 (Serial # 100050A) industrial truck daily and/or over multiple work shifts.  The Komatsu FT2 #FG35ST-7 industrial truck was not being examined daily or after each work shift.

Issued

Nov 14, 2014

Abate by

Dec 31, 2014

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.) Fansteel, Inc. dba American Sintered Technologies, 513 E. 2nd Street, Emporium, PA 15834, on or about October 8th, 2014, and times prior thereto:  Employees used 3M brand and Champion brand dust masks on a voluntary basis during certain pouring operations in the powder room.  Employees that used the dust masks were not provided with the information in Appendix D to this section.