OSHA Inspection: INTELLIGENCER PRINTING COMPANY

Issued

May 1, 2015

Abate by

Jun 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $4,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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) On March 25, 2015, in the Press Room, an employee operating the Bander at the unload end of the press was exposed to a continuous noise level of 1.04 % of the permissible limit or an equivalent noise level of 88.4 decibels as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA). This exposure was determined using a noise dosimeter with an 80 decibel threshold, from a 464 minute sample period during one shift with zero exposure being assumed for the remaining 16 minutes of an 8 hour shift.  This employee had not been provided with a baseline audiogram or training on noise as required by this standard.   ABATEMENT NOTE:      A comprehensive, effective hearing conservation program consisting of the following elements shall be developed and implemented for all employees whose exposure equals or exceeds 85 dBA on an 8-hour time weighted average:    1. Initial exposure monitoring and periodic reassessment of employees to determine noise exposures.    2. Establishment and maintenance of an audiometric testing program.    3. Provision and enforcement of hearing protection devices where required.    4. Institution of an initial training program for employees, as well as annual refresher training, including information on the hazards of noise, purpose of audiometric testing, and proper use of hearing protectors.    5. Maintenance of records as they relate to employee exposure measurements, medical examinations, and training.     Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 1, 2015

Abate by

Jun 5, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels :  (a) On March 25, 2015, in the Press Room, an employee operating the press was exposed to a continuous noise level of 1.05 % of the permissible limit or an equivalent noise level of 89.0 decibels as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA). This exposure was determined using a noise dosimeter with an 80 decibel threshold, from a 468 minute sample period during one shift with zero exposure being assumed for the remaining 12 minutes of an 8 hour shift.  An audiometric test had not been obtained for this employee since April of 2013.  (b) On March 25, 2015, in the Press Room, an employee operating the press was exposed to a continuous noise level of 1.05 % of the permissible limit or an equivalent noise level of 89.5 decibels as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA). This exposure was determined using a noise dosimeter with an 80 decibel threshold, from a 461 minute sample period during one shift with zero exposure being assumed for the remaining 19 minutes of an 8 hour shift.  An audiometric test had not been obtained for this employee since April of 2013.  (c) On March 25, 2015, in the Press Room, an employee operating the press was exposed to a continuous noise level of 1.05 % of the permissible limit or an equivalent noise level of 89.6 decibels as an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA). This exposure was determined using a noise dosimeter with an 80 decibel threshold, from a 459 minute sample period during one shift with zero exposure being assumed for the remaining 21 minutes of an 8 hour shift.  An audiometric test had not been obtained for this employee since April of 2013.    Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.