OSHA Inspection: ACTION MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $5,063 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 223% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 95.7 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 474 minute sampling period on April 26, 2016. The facility did not utilize administrative or engineering controls to reduce noise levels exposing employees to possible hearing loss, on or about April 26, 2016.      Feasible abatement methods include but are not limited to:      1. Evaluate the air pressure at the machines and determine if lower pressures could complete the necessary work.      2. Determine if other tools such as brushes could be used to clean out the parts instead of compressed air.      3. Evaluate employee work habits to determine if compressed air is used in excess.      4. Review the production process to determine if employees could be rotated to less noisy jobs throughout the ten-hour shift.       ABATEMENT STEPS ARE AS FOLLOW:      STEP 1 - As an interim protective measure and when administrative or engineering controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of table G-16, effective hearing protection shall be provided and used by all exposed employees.  In addition, an effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) shall be maintained.      STEP 2 - A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to noise as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:      1.  Evaluation of engineering control options;      2.  Selection of optimum control method and completion of design;      3.  Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures;      4.  Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.      Note: All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.  Ninety (90) day progress reports are required during the abatement period. (The 90 day requirement can be shortened or lengthened by the area director depending on the specific circumstances.)      STEP 3 - Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) to wear personal protective equipment:   a) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 223% of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 95.7 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 474 minute sampling period on April 26, 2016. The employer did not require an employee to wear hearing protection when exposed to noise levels greater than the permissible exposure limit, on or about April 26, 2016.   No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Abate by

Jun 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $3,825 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 95.4% of the daily permissible noise exposure limit during measurements performed for 571 minute period on April 26, 2016.  For the 9.5 hour extended work shift, employees would be exposed to the equivalent of an average sound level of 95.5 dBA which is 1.09 times the reduced action level of 84.1 dBA.  The employer did not ensure the employee received an annual audiogram.      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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Abate by

Jul 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:    a) a) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 124% of the daily permissible noise exposure limit during measurements performed for 571 minute period on April 26, 2016.  For the 9.5 hour extended work shift, employees would be exposed to the equivalent of an average sound level of 91.5 dBA which is 1.09 times the reduced action level of 84.2 dBA.  The employer did not institute a hearing conservation training program.    b) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 247% of the daily permissible noise exposure limit during measurements performed for 517 minute period on April 26, 2016.  For the 9 hour extended work shift, employees would be exposed to the equivalent of an average sound level of 96.5 dBA which is 1.14 times the reduced action level of 84.5 dBA. The employer did not institute a hearing conservation training program.      c) Turning Department (Chuckers): An employee, machine operator, was exposed to continuous noise at 117% of the daily permissible noise exposure limit during measurements performed for 577 minute period on April 26, 2016.  For the 9.5 hour extended work shift, employees would be exposed to the equivalent of an average sound level of 91.1 dBA which is 1.09 times the reduced action level of 83.6 dBA. The employer did not institute a hearing conservation training program.        ABATEMENT NOTE:  Employees shall be informed of the following:  1. The effects of noise on hearing.  2. The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care.  3. The purpose of audiometric testing and an explanation of the test procedures.    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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Abate by

Nov 28, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(m)(1): The employer did not maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by 29 CFR 1910.95(d):    a) Facility wide: Measurements to determine employee exposure to noise were taken using a Digital Instruments sound level meter SL-814 (T397338) throughout the facility and a record of these measurements was not maintained, on or about April 6, 2016.    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 that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Jun 9, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the information specified under paragraphs (f)(6)(i) through (ii) of this section:   a) CNC Area: A container of Advantage Cut 4575L with an ice tea label was observed by a CNC machine was not appropriately labeled with the contents or the hazards of the chemicals, on or about April 7, 2016.    b) CNC Area: A jug of Advantage 10W40 SN was observed by a CNC machine was not appropriately labeled with the contents or the hazards of the chemicals, on or about April 7, 2016.  No abatement certification or documentation required.