OSHA Inspection: HIGHLANDER SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Oct 11, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $600 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 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:    (a) On 6/21/16, a tractor/bush hog operator and a mower operator were determined to be exposed to noise in excess of an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels. The employer had not administered a continuing, effective hearing conservation program including:     * Developing and implementing a noise monitoring program  * Establishing and maintaining an audiometric testing program and ensuring employees were provided with baseline and annual audiograms  * Giving employees the opportunity to select their hearing protection from a variety of suitable hearing protectors (e.g., muffs or plugs).  * Instituting an annual noise training program    * Providing employees with a copy of noise standard  * Maintaining records of noise monitoring and audiometric testing     ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Sep 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:    (a) The employer did not develop, fully implement, or maintain a written hazard communication program at the workplace where employees were potentially exposed to gasoline used to fuel their equipment.    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Except as provided in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(7) and 29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(8), the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged or marked with the product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, would provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical:  (a) A 5-gallon gasoline container found in the back of a work truck at the job site was not provided with an identity label.

Issued

Jul 29, 2016

Abate by

Sep 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1):     Employees were not provided effective information and training as specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(2) and (h)(3) on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    (a) Employees who was exposed to gasoline during grass trimming, edging, and mowing had not been provided  information and training concerning the following:    * Information concerning the requirements of the hazard communication standard    * Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present    * Information regarding the location and availability of the written hazard communication program and the required list of hazardous chemicals and material safety data sheets    * Training on the physical and health hazards of chemicals    *Training on the measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment      * Training on the details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labeling system, the material safety data sheet, and how employees can obtain an use this hazard information.    * As of 6/15/16, employees who were potentially exposed to gasoline had not been trained on the new chemical container label elements and the new format and types of information on each section of safety data sheets (SDSs) with respect to revisions to the standard in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).    ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED