OSHA Inspection: BAIRD CONCRETE PRODUCTS, INC

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $2,000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a standard railing (or the equivalent as specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section) on all open sides except where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway, or fixed ladder. The railing shall be provided with a toeboard wherever, beneath the open sides,  a) The section of the standard railing surrounding the sand and gravel bin #1, next to the ladder entering the bin, did not include a mid-rail exposing employees to a fall hazard of greater than 6 to 10 feet.  b) At the facility, employees who cleaned sand and gravel bin #1, by climbing into and standing on the bin's ledges, were exposed to falls greater than 6 feet to 10 feet.   c) At the facility, employees who cleaned sand and gravel bin #2, by climbing into and standing on the bin's ledges, were exposed to falls greater than 6 feet to 10 feet.   d) At the facility, employees who cleaned sand and gravel bin #3, by climbing into and standing on the bin's ledges, were exposed to falls greater than 6 feet to 10 feet.  e) At the facility, employees who cleaned sand and gravel bin #4, by climbing into and standing on the bin's ledges, were exposed to falls greater than 6 feet to 10 feet.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

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) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. An employee operating the Block Machine was exposed to noise at 182.2% which exceeded the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of 100%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 94.3 dBA during the 476 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 4 minutes not sampled.   b) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding 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. An employee operating the cuber machine was exposed to noise at 115.6% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.0 dBA during the 445 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 35 minutes not sampled.    c) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented an effective hearing conservation program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding 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. An employee operating the company's fork lift truck was exposed to noise at 84.5% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.8 dBA during the 451minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 29 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  a) At the establishment, the employer had not established and maintained an audiometric testing program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. An employee operating the Block Machine was exposed to noise at 182.2% which exceeded the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of 100%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 94.3 dBA during the 476 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 4 minutes not sampled.   b) At the establishment, the employer had not established and maintained an audiometric testing program  for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding 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. An employee operating the cuber machine was exposed to noise at 115.6% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.0 dBA during the 445 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 35 minutes not sampled.    c) At the establishment, the employer had not established and maintained an audiometric testing program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding 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. An employee operating the company's fork lift truck was exposed to noise at 84.5% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.8 dBA during the 451minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 29 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2): Employers shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn:  29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): By an employee who is required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment; and  a) At the establishment, an employee operating the Block Machine and exposed to noise at 182.2% which exceeded the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of 100%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA was not required by the employer to wear hearing protection.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.  a) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented a training program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. An employee operating the Block Machine was exposed to noise at 182.2% which exceeded the PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of 100%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 90 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 94.3 dBA during the 476 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 4 minutes not sampled.   b) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented a training program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding an 8-hour time-weighted sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of 50 percent. An employee operating the cuber machine was exposed to noise at 115.6% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.0 dBA during the 445 minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 35 minutes not sampled.    c) At the establishment, the employer had not established and implemented a training program for employees with noise exposures equal to or exceeding 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. An employee operating the company's fork lift truck was exposed to noise at 84.5% which exceeded the AL (Action Level) of 50%, an 8-hour time weighted average sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.8 dBA during the 451minute sampling period on January 16, 2015. Exposure calculation included a zero increment of the 29 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $1,200

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  a) At the establishment, employees were over-exposed to noise and exposed to falls and the employer had not conducted a workplace hazard assessment to determine if personal protective equipment was necessary for employee use.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Mar 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

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) At the establishment, employees entered sand and gravel bins and the main concrete mixer for daily cleaning and when changing sand and gravel. The employer had not evaluated the mixer and sand and gravel bins as permit-required confined spaces exposing employees to engulfment hazards.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.   NOTE: A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.  a) At the establishment the employer had not posted danger signs at the storage silos notifying employees that they were permit required confined spaces, thereby exposing employees to engulfment hazards. Danger signs must read, "DANGER PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER", or other similar language that would satisfy this requirement.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(4): If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.  a) The employer did not develop a written permit space entry program for employees that entered permit-required confined spaces such as, but not limited to, the mixer and the sand and gravel hoppers thereby exposing employees to engulfment and amputation hazards.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(8): When an employer (host employer) arranges to have employees of another employer (contractor) perform work that involves permit space entry, the host employer shall:  29 CFR 1910.146(c)(8)(i): Inform the contractor that the workplace contains permit spaces and that permit space entry is allowed only through compliance with a permit space program meeting the requirements of this section;  a) At the facility, the employer had contractors perform work in the company's two silos containing Portland cement. The employer had identified the two silos as permit-required confined spaces. The employer had not developed permit-required confined space procedures and had not appraised the contractor of precautions to be taken for the protection of employees entering the permit-required confined spaces exposing employees to engulfment hazards and contact and inhalation hazards.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $2,800

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): Energy control program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs 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) On or about November 4, 2014, an employee performing maintenance and repair of the Block Machine unloader suffered a broken and dislocated finger when the machine unexpectedly started and caught his finger between a chain and sprocket. An energy control program to prevent the unexpected startup of equipment had not been developed and implemented.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances R103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): An employer may provide respirators at the request of employees or permit employees to use their own respirators, if the employer determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard. If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to this section ("Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard"); and  a) At the establishment, employees were given North 7700 respirators and Wilson N95 disposable respirators to wear for voluntary use to protect them from dust and had not provided employees with the information contained in 1910.134  Appendix D.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): In addition, the employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user. Exception: Employers are not required to include in a written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (dust masks).  a) At the establishment, an employee wore a North 7700 respirator when cleaning the concrete mixer. The employee had not been medically approved to be able to wear the respirator while performing work and had not been trained in the care of the respirator.

Issued

Mar 11, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.  a) At the establishment, a low voltage junction box mounted on the block machine hopper was missing its cover exposing employees to an electrical shock hazard.