OSHA Inspection: LOWELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $2,450 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 dBA:    For the Powder Coat Painter who was exposed to a recorded personal noise dosimeter level of 68.5% on 2/4/2015.  This was equivalent to a sound level of 87.2 dBA for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for the 451 minutes sampled and zero exposure for the 29 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,960 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards:    Inside of the Assembly area, employee(s) were observed operating hand held portable power tools without wearing suitable eye protection.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a):  The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used protective footwear when working in areas where there was a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole:  Inside the production area, the operator of the 10 Ton overhead crane was wearing sneakers.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use did not present a health hazard to the user:   In the Powder Coat Room, the powder coat painter(s) used a 3M 6001 full face respirator (OV cartridges with P95 filters) on a voluntary basis to intermittently spray powder coat on large items inside the booth.  In addition, the powder coat painter(s) used a 3M 8511 N95 respirator to clean the booth.  The employer did not have a written respiratory protection program and medical evaluation(s) had not been conducted for the powder coat painter(s).

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $3,430 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.333(a)(2):  Where exposed live parts were not de-energized, other safety related work practices were not used to protect employees who could be exposed to the electrical hazards involved:    Inside of the Assembly area, on or about the Holidays 2014, an employee was rewiring the conveyor line, receptacles, glue pot and workbenches.  The employer failed to provide employee(s) with adequate safety related work practices while working on the R2 electrical panel box (120/208V, 200 amp) live.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not provided with electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body that needed to be protected and for the work being performed:  Inside of the Assembly area, on or about the Holidays 2014, an employee was rewiring the conveyor line, receptacles, glue pot and workbenches without suitable personal protective equipment.  He was working on R2 electical panel box (120/208V, 200 amp) live.  The employee was only wearing safety glasses.

Issued

Apr 3, 2015

Abate by

May 20, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(2)(ii): Protective shields, protective barriers, or insulating materials were not used to protect each employee from shock, burns, or other electrically related injuries while that employee was working near exposed energized parts:  Inside of the Assembly area, on or about the Holidays 2014, an employee was rewiring the conveyor line, receptacles, glue pot and workbenches without protective barriers, shields or insulating materials in place.  He was working on R2 electrical panel box (120/208V, 200 amp) live.