OSHA Inspection: NEW GERMANY WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

Jun 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,275 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not 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:    a) Production area - Violation observed March 14, 2016.  A woodworking laborer who operated various woodworking equipment such as lathe, drill press and light sander was exposed to continuous noise at 87.39% of the permissible daily dose (8-hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 90dBA) or equivalent sound level of approximately 89.0 dBA during the 418 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for 30 minutes for lunch.  The employer did not implement an effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  a) Production area - Violation observed March 14, 2016.  A woodworking laborer who operated various woodworking equipment such as lathe, drill press and light sander was exposed to continuous noise at 87.39% of the permissible daily dose (8-hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 90dBA) or equivalent sound level of approximately 89.0 dBA during the 418 minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for 30 minutes for lunch.  The employer did not implent a monitoring program.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

Jun 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not 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) Production area - Violation observed March 14, 2016.  A woodworking laborer who operated various woodworking equipment such as lathe, drill press and light sander was exposed to continuous noise at 87.39% of the permissible daily dose (8-hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 90dBA) or equivalent sound level of approximately 89.0 dBA during the 418 minute sampling period.  The exposure did not include 30 minutes for lunch.   The employer did not provide a baseline or audiometric testing program to employees.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

Jun 27, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who was 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 did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Production area - Violation observed March 14, 2016.  A woodworking laborer operated various woodworking equipment such as lathe, drill press and light sander was exposed to continuous noise at 87.39% of the permissible daily dose (8-hour time weighted average sound level (TWA) of 90dBA) or equivalent sound level of approximately 89.0 dBA during the 418 minute sampling period.  The exposure did not include 30 minutes for lunch.  The employer did not institute a training program on noise for employees.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,020 · Current $765 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:  a) Facility, on or about February 25, 2016 - The employer did not maintain a written hazard communication program which described the location and inclusion of the SDS sheets for wood products, glues, and/or propane.   Employees used Wood Putty, which contained ketones and alcohols, as a wood filler for knots and holes daily and Bates boothcoating glue release which contained ethylene glycol.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

May 23, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8): The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s):   a) Facility, on or about February 25, 2016 - The employer did not maintain the SDS sheets for wood products, glues and/or propane.   Employees used Wood Putty, which contained ketones and alcohols, as a wood filler for knots and holes daily and Bates boothcoating glue release which contained ethylene glycol.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i): All places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows:  a)  Production area, on or about February 25, 2016 - The floor underneath and surrounding the glue machine was dusty, dirty and sticky from running the machine.

Issued

May 13, 2016

Abate by

Jun 7, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(b):  Adequate first aid supplies were not readily available:   a) Facility, on or about February 25, 2016 - The employer had a first aid kit that was not stocked with first aid components sufficient to treat minor injuries such as cuts, abrasions and sprains.