OSHA Inspection: SIERRA HARD SURFACES, INC.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $2730.00 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 1910.95(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:    Cutting Department: Employees were exposed to noise levels above the Action Level of 85 dBA without the implementation of an effective hearing conservation program which would have included baseline audiograms, noise monitoring, and noise training according to the noise standard.    a) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2125) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 114% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.9 dBA during the 250 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    b) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2126) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    c) Employees using an Alfa 32D SCM Panel Saw (Mtr Number AR3801) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 73.74% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA during the 413 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    d) Employees using a Beast by Lackmond Wet Saw to cut ceramic tile were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 330 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    Cutting Department: The employer failed to implement noise monitoring while providing hearing protection devices to employees during cutting activities.     a) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2125) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 114% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.9 dBA during the 250 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    b) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2126) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    c) Employees using an Alfa 32D SCM Panel Saw (Mtr Number AR3801) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 73.74% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA during the 413 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    d) Employees using a Beast by Lackmond Wet Saw to cut ceramic tile were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 330 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    Cutting Department: The employer failed to provide audiometric testing to employees exposed to noise above the Action Level.  Employees were exposed to elevated noise levels while cutting wood and ceramic product to be used on exhibition displays.    a) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2125) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 114% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.9 dBA during the 250 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    b) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2126) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    c) Employees using an Alfa 32D SCM Panel Saw (Mtr Number AR3801) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 73.74% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA during the 413 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    d) Employees using a Beast by Lackmond Wet Saw to cut ceramic tile were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 330 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:    Cutting Department: The employer failed to provide training to employees exposed to noise above the Action Level.  Employees were exposed to noise levels above the Action Level of 85 dBA while cutting wood and ceramic product to be used on exhibition displays.      a) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2125) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 114% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.9 dBA during the 250 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    b) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2126) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    c) Employees using an Alfa 32D SCM Panel Saw (Mtr Number AR3801) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 73.74% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA during the 413 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.    d) Employees using a Beast by Lackmond Wet Saw to cut ceramic tile were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 330 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4500.00 · Current $2730.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:    a) THROUGHOUT: The employer did not establish machine specific procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy sources when employees were engaged in machine servicing and maintenance.  Employees perform maintenance on equipment, such as but not limited to panel saws, carpet cutting machine, and labeling machines and were exposed to electric shock, electrocution, lacerations, and amputation.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control:   a) THROUGHOUT: The employer did not provide training in the recognition of potentially hazardous energy sources when employees were engaged in machine servicing and maintenance.  Employees perform maintenance on equipment, such as but not limited to, panel saws, carpet cutting machine, and labeling machines and were exposed to electric shock, electrocution, lacerations, and amputation.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-09-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(3): Employees were not given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer:  Cutting Department: The employer failed to provide more than one hearing protection device to employees exposed to noise levels above the Action Level of 85 dBA.  a) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2125) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 114% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 90.9 dBA during the 250 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.  b) Employees using a CTD Miter Saw (Model F255R; SN 2126) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 421 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.  c) Employees using an Alfa 32D SCM Panel Saw (Mtr Number AR3801) to cut wood flooring were exposed to continuous noise at 73.74% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 87.8 dBA during the 413 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.  d) Employees using a Beast by Lackmond Wet Saw to cut ceramic tile were exposed to continuous noise at 97.64% of the permissible daily exposure of 85 dBA (time-weighted average) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 dBA during the 330 minute sampling period on June 8, 2015.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    a) Cutting Department: The employer had not provided employees required to wear respirators with medical evaluations prior to fit testing or wearing the respirators.  Employees were required to wear respirators while cutting flooring.  Employees were exposed to the hazards of respiratory irritation from airborne particulates.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:    a) CUTTING DEPARTMENT: Employees were required to wear tight-fitting respirators while cutting flooring prior to being fit tested.  Employees were exposed to the hazards of respiratory irritation from airborne particulates.

Issued

2015-08-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2015-10-19 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:    a) CUTTING DEPARTMENT: The employer had not provided respirator training for employees prior to respirator use.  Employees were required to wear respirators while cutting flooring.  Employees were exposed to the hazards of respiratory irritation from airborne particulates.