OSHA Inspection: PRIMEX PLASTICS CORP.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Feb 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:   a) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinder on line 12 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 107.9 dBA which exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. Engineering controls to decrease noise exposure were not utilized. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 495 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.   b) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinders in the grinding room was exposed to noise at a TWA of 106.4 dBA which exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. Engineering controls to decrease noise exposure were not utilized. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 465 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, that for employees already using hearing protectors, employees be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:  a) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - Grinder operators were exposed to noise at TWA levels between 98.6-107.9 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. A grinder, who suffered a standard threshold shift (STS), was not retrained in the use of hearing protection, on or about 3/10/15.  b) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - Employees assisting in the operation of the lines were exposed to noise at a TWA of 89.8 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. An assistant operator, who suffered a standard threshold shift (STS), was not retrained in the use of hearing protection, on or about 3/10/15.  c) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - Employees operating lines 8 were exposed to noise at a TWA between 93.2-94.5 94.2 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Line operators, who suffered a standard threshold shift (STS), were not retrained in the use of hearing protection, on or about 3/10/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(3)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee was informed of the effects of noise on hearing:    a) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinder on line 12 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 107.9 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 495 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    b) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinders in the grinding room was exposed to noise at a TWA of 106.4 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 465 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    c) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee assisting in the operation on line 16 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 89.8 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 461 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    d) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 8 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 94.2 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 447 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    e) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 4 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 94.5 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 445 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    f) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An operator in plant 2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 97.6 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 445 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    g) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An operator in plant 2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 92.3 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 446 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    h) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating a grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 98.6 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 458 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.    i) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 13 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 93.2 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects of noise on hearing. The exposure was derived from a personal sample taken over 458 minutes, on or about 3/10/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(3)(iii): The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.  a) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinder on line 12 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 107.9 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  b) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating the grinders in the grinding room was exposed to noise at a TWA of 106.4 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  c) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee assisting in the operation on line 16 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 89.8 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  d) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 8 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 94.2 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the effects purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  e) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 4 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 94.5 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  f) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An operator in plant 2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 97.6 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  g) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An operator in plant 2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 92.3 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  h) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating a grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 98.6 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.  i) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - An employee operating line 13 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 93.2 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training did not include the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, on or about 3/10/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,300 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(i): The employer did not select and have each affected employee use, the types of personal protective equipment that would protect the affected employee(s) from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment:    Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - Line operators were exposed to burn hazards to the skin from the hot rollers and parts on the line. Heat resistant sleeves were provided but their use not enforced, on or about 3/4/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not verify, through a written certification, the identity of the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation had been performed, and the date the hazard assessment was done:    Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - In Plant 1 and Plant 2, employees were exposed to hazard to the eyes and hands. Cut resistant gloves were not required for protection against lacerations. The PPE hazard assessment was not verified through a written certification on or about 3/9/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $16,500 · Current $12,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands were exposed to hazardous condition(s):    a) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - In the production area of Plant 1, line operators were exposed to burn hands hazards while working on the extruder lines and the dies with temperatures between 380-420 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat resistant gloves were not required for protection against burns, on or about 3/9/15.   b) Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - In the production area of Plant 1, employees were exposed to hands laceration hazards while using utility knives, changing blades and handling sharp edges. Cut resistant gloves were not required for protection against lacerations, on or about 3/9/15.  Primex Plastics Corporation was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.138(a), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 984435, citation number 1, item number 5 and was affirmed as a final order on 2/16/15, with respect to a workplace located at 61 River Driver, Garfield, New Jersey.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - In the production areas, employees were provided with dust masks for voluntary use. The information of appendix D was not provided, on or about 3/4/15.

Issued

Aug 27, 2015

Abate by

Sep 23, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2): The employer did not 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:  Primex Plastics Corp., Oakwood, GA - In the production areas, silos, cyclones, hoppers, and storage tanks were classified as permit required confined spaces. A sign, identifying the spaces as confined spaces, was not posted, on or about 3/4/15.