OSHA Inspection: CABOT LUMBER INC.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Apr 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,600 · Current $560 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(b)(1): Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.  a. In the pallet production area, employees are exposed to flying wood pieces while walking through the aisle between production equipment.   b. In the pallet production area, employees are exposed to tripping hazards while stepping over piles of wood in the aisle.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $840 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):     The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.    a. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 131.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.9 dBA during the 473 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 7 minutes not sampled.    b. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 86.6% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 465 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 15 minutes not sampled.    c. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 108.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.5 dBA during the 457 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 23 minutes not sampled.    d. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 111.4% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.7 dBA during the 456 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 24 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1):     The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.    a. The employer did not provide audiometric testing for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 131.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.9 dBA during the 473 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 7 minutes not sampled.    b. The employer did not provide audiometric testing for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 86.6% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 465 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 15 minutes not sampled.    c. The employer did not provide audiometric testing for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 108.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.5 dBA during the 457 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 23 minutes not sampled.    d. The employer did not provide audiometric testing for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 111.4% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.7 dBA during the 456 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 24 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1):     The employer shall 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 this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.    a. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation training program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 131.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 91.9 dBA during the 473 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 7 minutes not sampled.    b. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation training program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 86.6% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 88.9 dBA during the 465 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 15 minutes not sampled.    c. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation training program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 108.1% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.5 dBA during the 457 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 23 minutes not sampled.    d. The employer had not developed and implemented a hearing conservation training program for employees working throughout the facility in both production buildings. A laborer was exposed to continuous noise at 111.4% on March 3, 2016 which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 90.7 dBA during the 456 minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 24 minutes not sampled.