OSHA Inspection: PACTIV

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii): "Mobile test van exception." Where mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometric testing obligation, the employer shall obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level. Where baseline audiograms are obtained more than 6 months after the employee's first exposure at or above the action level, employees shall wear hearing protectors for any period exceeding six months after first exposure until the baseline audiogram is obtained.    On November 12, 2015, in the facility, temporary employees required to perform line packaging operations were exposed to noise above the action level. For example:    a). A temporary employee packaging at Line 102 was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time-weighted average of approximately 96.3 dBA (80 dB threshold) or equivalent 240 percent dose, during a 443 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure assumed for the minutes not sampled.  The employee had been working at the facility since August 21, 2013.    b). A temporary employee packaging at Line 108 was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time-weighted average of approximately 93.7 dBA (80 dB threshold), or equivalent 167 percent dose, during a 447 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure assumed for the minutes not sampled.  The employee had been working at the facility since May 23, 2013.    The employer did not obtain a valid baseline audiogram within 1 year of the employees first exposure at or above the action level of 82.1 dBA (12-hour TWA) or equivalent 50 percent dose.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $4,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(3): Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer.    On or about November 12, 2015, in the facility, temporary employees required to work at or near the production lines were exposed to daily noise levels between 92.9 and 96.3 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average.  The employees were not given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer.  Employees were provided with only one type hearing protector (foam plug) to select from.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(4): The employer shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to employees:  On or about November 12, 2015, in the facility, temporary employees required to work at or near the production lines were exposed to daily noise levels between 92.9 and 96.3 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average.  The employees were not provided training in the use and care of the required hearing protection (foam plug) provided.

Issued

Dec 22, 2015

Abate by

Feb 10, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(5): The employer shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors:  On or about November 12, 2015, in the facility, temporary employees required to work at or near production lines were exposed to daily noise levels between 92.9 and 96.3 decibels as an 8-hour time-weighted average.  The employer did not ensure proper initial fitting of the required hearing protection (foam plug) provided and did not supervise the correct use of the hearing protector.