OSHA Inspection: GERRESHEIMER GLASS, INC.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

Oct 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,780 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.    a. B - 8 production Line - On or about March 4, 2016, an employee was exposed to percent noise at 649 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 103.49 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 4.25 hours (255 minutes) sampling.     b. Floor/Second Floor - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise of 303 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 97.99 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 5.0 hours (300 minutes) sampling.     c. LPA Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise at 238 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average  sound of 96.25 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 4.25 hours (255 minutes) sampling.     d. JCC Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise at 202 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 95.07 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 4.0 hours (240 minutes) sampling.     Yet, the employer had not utilized feasible administrative or engineering controls.    The 8 hour time weighted average sound level at 90 dBA was established to prevent hearing loss.    General Methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:    1. Installation of acoustic enclosure drapes/curtains over the conveyor lines.    2. Building a work station/booth with sound dampening materials by each conveyor line.     3. Reduction of the total amount of compressed air pressure delivered at the conveyor line's blow off operations by installing air nozzles and jets.    4. Insuring the complete effectiveness of the hearing conservation program for all employees at the company.    ABATEMENT: 30 days    Step 1:    Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee 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 measure.        4. Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.    All proposed control measures shall be evaluated 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.    Step 2: 120 days    Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

Jun 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn at all times who are required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment;   a. B- 8 Production Line/QC Operator - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to a percent noise exposure of 649 %, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 103.49 dBA (TWA) for 4.25 hours (255 minutes) sampling.  b. Floor/Second Floor - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise of 303 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 97.99 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 5.0 hours (300 minutes) sampling.   c. LPA Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise at 238 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average  sound of 96.25 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 4.25 hours (255 minutes) sampling.   d. JCC Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to percent noise at 202 % level, equivalent to the 8-hour time weighted average sound of 95.07 dBA time weighted average (TWA) for 4.0 hours (240 minutes) sampling.   Yet, employees on the day of the sampling - construction activities - were observed at different locations between the perimeter of the company and were not wearing their hearing protection.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

Jun 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,300 · Current $3,780 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)(ii): Where circumstances such as high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impulse noise make area monitoring generally inappropriate, the employer shall use representative personal sampling to comply with the monitoring requirements of this paragraph unless the employer can show that area sampling produces equivalent results.    a. B- 8 Production Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to a dose of 650 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 98.50 dBA during 255 minute sampling.    b. Floor/Second Floor - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to a dose of 305 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 93.04 dBA during 300 minute sampling.    c. LPA Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to dose of 242 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 91.37 dBA during 255 minute sampling.    d. JCC Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to dose of 204 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 90.14 dBA for 240 minute sampling.    Yet, the employer had not developed and established a noise monitoring program where circumstances such as high worker mobility was practiced at the company.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

Jun 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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.   a. Production Areas - On or about March 4, 2016, "over the head" ear muffs type hearing protectors showed damage on one of their plastic "ear cups" (cracked). Employees were exposed to the hazards of noise levels above the permissible exposure levels of OSHA (PEL).

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Abate by

Jun 14, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1): The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace.   a. B- 8 Production Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to a dose of 650 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 98.50 dBA during 255 minute sampling.  b. Floor/Second Floor - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to a dose of 305 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 93.04 dBA during 300 minute sampling.  c. LPA Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to dose of 242 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 91.37 dBA during 255 minute sampling.  d. JCC Line - On or about March 4, 2016, a machine operator was exposed to dose of 204 % of OSHA's action level limit of 85 dBA or a time weighted average (TWA) of approximately 90.14 dBA for 240 minute sampling.  Yet, the employer had not made available to affected employees or their representatives copies of OSHA 's noise standard and also post a copy of this standard at the workplace.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,951 · Current $1,171 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(d)(1): Guarding. Pulleys, any parts of which are seven (7) feet or less from the floor or working platform, shall be guarded in accordance with the standards specified in paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section. Pulleys serving as balance wheels (e.g., punch presses) on which the point of contact between belt and pulley is more than six feet six inches (6 ft. 6 in.) from the floor or platform may be guarded with a disk covering the spokes.        a. B-4 Line Area/Conveyor Belt Cleaner Brush  - On or about January 14, 2016, unguarded pulleys located at less than seven (7) feet from the floor were not completely guarded. Employees working near the conveyor line were exposed to in-running nip points machine hazards.

Issued

Apr 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(e)(1)(i): Where both runs of horizontal belts are seven (7) feet or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least fifteen (15) inches above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed in accordance with paragraphs (m) and (o) of this section.   a. B-4 Line Area/Conveyor Line Cleaner Brush - On or about January 14, 2016, a horizontal belt located at less than seven (7) feet from the floor were not completely guarded. Employees working near the conveyor line were exposed to in-running nip points machine hazards.