OSHA Inspection: PROTOTEK SHEETMETAL FABRICATION, LLC

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 28, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,900

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(i): The employer did not establish, within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared:    (a) Location: Aluminum Grinding Area:    On or about February 18, 2015, a grinder operator (RO) was exposed to noise levels at 132% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted average.  The equivalent level of the 132% is approximately 92.0 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 483 minutes during one work shift on February 18, 2015.  The noise level exceeded the action level of 85 dBA and the employee had not received a baseline audiogram.      (b) Location: Sheetmetal and Aluminum Grinding Areas:    On or about February 18, 2015, a grinder operator (TM) was exposed to noise levels at 80% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted average.  The equivalent level of the 80% is approximately 88.3 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 476 minutes during one work shift on February 18, 2015.  The noise level exceeded the action level of 85 dBA and the employee had not received a baseline audiogram.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(I)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment.    (a) Location: Aluminum Grinding Area:        On or about February 18, 2015, an employee (RO) using grinders on metal was exposed to noise levels at 132% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted average sound level (90 dBA).  The equivalent level of the 132% is approximately 92 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 483 minutes during one work shift on February 18, 2015.  The noise level exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA and no hearing protectors were worn by the employee at the time of the exposure.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not 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.     (a) Location: Aluminum Grinding Area:    On or about February 18, 2015, a grinder operator (RO) was exposed to noise levels at 132% of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted average.  The equivalent level of the 132% is approximately 92 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 483 minutes during one work shift on February 18, 2015.  The noise level exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  The employee was not trained in the company's hearing conservation program.      (b) Location: Sheetmetal and Aluminum Grinding Areas:     On or about February 18, 2015, a grinder operator (TM) was exposed to noise levels at 80%of the allowable 8 hour time-weighted average.  The equivalent level of the 80% is approximately 88.3 dBA which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss.  The sampling was performed for 476 minutes during one work shift on February 18, 2015.  The noise level exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  The employee was not trained in the company's hearing conservation program.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(i): When a powered industrial truck is left unattended, load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls shall be neutralized, power shall be shut off, and brakes set. Wheels shall be blocked if the truck is parked on an incline.     a.     Location: Main bay area: on 30 January, 2015, an employee was seen by CSHO leaving the forklift unattended with the forks raised approximately 3 feet while holding the load of a pallet.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure all exposed parts of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform, were protected by a stationary casing enclosing shafting completely or by a trough enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.    a.    Location: Deburring Department - The horizontal shafts on the Baldor buffing machine were not guarded.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

May 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Unguarded projecting shaft end(s) did not present a smooth edge and end and projected more than one half the diameter of the shaft:   a.    Location: Deburring Department - The projecting shaft ends on the Baldor buffing machine were not guarded.

Issued

Mar 26, 2015

Abate by

Apr 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:    a.     Location: Machine shop building - Compressed air at the VMX42 Horco machine was measured at 80 p.s.i.    b.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at the sheetmetal machining area was measured at 80 p.s.i.    c.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at the sheetmetal machining area was measured at 50 p.s.i.    d.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at the plating area was measured at 110 p.s.i.     e.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at powder coating area was measured at 100 p.s.i.     f.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at powder coating area was measured at 70 p.s.i.     g.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at the deburring area was measured at 80 p.s.i.     h.     Location: Main Prototek building - Compressed air at new grinding area was 50 p.s.i.