OSHA Inspection: MEREDITH POLE AND TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

2014-12-31 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-04-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1680.00 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) At the Mill Operating booth, on or about and at times prior to November 25, 2014, the employer did not implement an effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95 for an employee who was exposed to a time weighted average (TWA) of 91.2 decibels on the A scale (dBA) or an equivalent dose of 117.1% during a total sampling time of 242 minutes, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with hearing loss.     b) At the Chop Saw operating station, on or about and at times prior to November 25, 2014, the employer did not implement an effective hearing conservation program for an employee was exposed to a TWA of 88.5 dBA or an equivalent dose of 81.42% during a total sampling time of 249 minutes, exposing the employee to the hazards associated with 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

2014-12-31 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-01-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to November 25, 2014, the employer did not provide for or maintain a written hazard communication program for employees who worked with chemicals such as, but not limited to "Premier" a fungicide used in the treatment of utility poles during the production process.  b) At the facility, on or about and at times prior to November 25, 2014, the employer did not provide for or maintain a written hazard communication program for an employee who handled diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid during the course of operating heavy equipment used by the company in the transportation of finished and raw pole products.