OSHA Inspection: K. W. MCAVOY & SON, INC.

Issued

Feb 6, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,480 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(a): Protection against the effects of noise exposure was not provided when the sound levels exceeded those shown in Table G-16:  K. W. McAvoy & Son, Inc. - on or about November 20, 2014, employees operating, or working in the vicinity of, saws and planers in the production areas of the facility were exposed to sound levels greater than 85 decibels on the A-weighted scale.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 179.4% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 179.4% is approximately 94.2 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 438 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 42 minutes.  The employer did not provide and require employees to wear hearing protectors.   The CSHO observed abatement of this hazard during the inspection. Abatement Observed: YES

Issued

Feb 6, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  K. W. McAvoy & Son, Inc. - on or about November 20, 2014, employees operating, or working in the vicinity of, saws and planers in the production areas of the facility were exposed to sound levels greater than 85 decibels on the A-weighted scale.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 185.1% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 185.1% is approximately 94.4 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 438 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 42 minutes.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 90.74% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 90.74% is approximately 89.2 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 423 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 57 minutes.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 67.48% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 67.48% is approximately 87.1 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 420 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 60 minutes.  The employer did not develop and implement a Hearing Conservation Program.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Feb 6, 2015

Abate by

Apr 15, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  K. W. McAvoy & Son, Inc. - on or about November 20, 2014, employees operating, or working in the vicinity of, saws and planers in the production areas of the facility were exposed to sound levels greater than 85 decibels on the A-weighted scale.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 185.1% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 185.1% is approximately 94.4 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 438 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 42 minutes.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 90.74% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 90.74% is approximately 89.2 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 423 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 57 minutes.  An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 67.48% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) should level (85 dBA).  The equivalent dBA level of 67.48% is approximately 87.1 dBA.  The sampling was performed for 420 minutes during one shift on November 20, 2014.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 60 minutes.  The employer did not provide baseline or annual audiometric testing.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.