OSHA Inspection: GATECO, INC.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Apr 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,360 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.23(c)(1): Open-sided floors and/or platforms four feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level were not guarded with standard railings (or equivalent) and toeboards:    a) Loading Dock: Employees walk through the loading dock to access the fixed ladder down to the large blasting booth and a standard railing was not present at the edge that was approximately 50 inches above ground level, on or about February 26, 2016.    Note:  Toeboards are only required when persons can pass, there is moving equipment or there is equipment with which falling materials could create a hazard.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,142 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    a) Small Blasting Booth: An employee, blaster, was abrasive blasting 6 pieces using Garnet grit and was exposed to continuous noise at 74.63% of the action level of 85 decibels on the A-weighting scale (dBA) or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 87.8 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 454 minute sampling period on March 10, 2016. The employer did not develop or implement a monitoring program to determine employees' exposure to noise, on or about March 10, 2016.    No abatement certification or documentation required.

Issued

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

May 5, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:  a) Small Blasting Booth: An employee, blaster, was abrasive blasting 6 pieces using Garnet grit and was exposed to continuous noise at 74.63 % of the action level of 85 decibels on the A-weighting scale (dBA) or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 87.8 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 454 minute sampling period on March 10, 2016. The employee was not provided an audiometric test, on or about March 10, 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

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Apr 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(3)(iii): The employer did not ensure that each employee was informed of the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures:  a) Small Blasting Booth: An employee, blaster, was abrasive blasting 6 pieces using Garnet grit and was exposed to continuous noise at 74.63% of the action level of 85 decibels on the A-weighting scale (dBA) or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 87.8 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 454 minute sampling period on March 10, 2016. Hearing conservation training provided to employees did not include information about the audiometric testing and the testing procedures, on or about March 10, 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

Mar 21, 2016

Abate by

Apr 8, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1): The employer did not make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 and did not post a copy in the workplace:  a) Small Blasting Booth: An employee, blaster, was abrasive blasting 6 pieces using Garnet grit and was exposed to continuous noise at 74.63% of the action level of 85 decibels on the A-weighting scale (dBA) or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 87.8 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 454 minute sampling period on March 10, 2016. The hearing conservation standard (29 CFR 1910.95) was not made readily available to affected employees, on or about March 10, 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.