OSHA Inspection: NEMO PLASTICS, INC.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $3,741 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:  Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - In the production area, employees operating equipment such as but not limited to the densifiers, shredders, balers and grinder were exposed to noise levels between 90-98 dBA. A noise monitoring program was not developed, on or about 7/28/16.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not 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 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating densifiers #1 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 98.5 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 467 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 13 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  b) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 96 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 452 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 28 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  c) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 92.2 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 444 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 36 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  d) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 91.4 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 458 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 22 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  e) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 91.3 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 434 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 46 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  f) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 90.8 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 468 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 12 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.  g) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 90.1 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 447 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 33 minutes. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 7/29/16.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $6,236 · Current $3,741 Reduced

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 (TWA) of 85 decibels:  a) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating densifiers #1 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 98.5 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 467 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 13 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  b) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the large grinder was exposed to noise at a TWA of 96 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 452 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 28 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  c) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the baler was exposed to noise at a TWA of 92.2 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 444 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 36 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  d) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the shredder #1 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 91.4 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 458 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 22 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  e) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the shredder #2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 91.3 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 434 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 46 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  f) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee operating the densifiers #2 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 90.8 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 468 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 12 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.  g) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - An employee assisting in the operation the shredder #1 was exposed to noise at a TWA of 90.1 dBA, exceeding the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 447 minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of 33 minutes. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 7/29/16.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Abate by

Feb 10, 2017

Penalty

Initial $4,988 · Current $2,994 Reduced

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) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - Maintenance employees handled oil, grease, welding gasses and rods. A written hazard communication program was not developed and implemented, on or about 7/28/16.  b) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - In the production area, employees were exposed to dust, some of it tested positive for combustible dust. A written hazard communication program was not developed and implemented, on or about 7/28/16.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Abate by

Mar 20, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training 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) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - Maintenance employees handled oil, grease, welding gasses and rods. Training under the new globally harmonized system (GHS) was not provided, on or about 7/28/16.  b) Nemo Plastics, Inc., Gainesville, GA - In the production area, employees were exposed to dust, some of it tested positive for combustible dust. Training under the new globally harmonized system (GHS) was not provided, on or about 7/28/16.

Issued

Dec 22, 2016

Abate by

Jan 20, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not ensure that Safety Data Sheets were readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):  On or about July 19, 2016, employees did not have access to SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for the plastics that were received, ground, melted, or packaged at the site.  Employees did not know that the plastic dust was combustible.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(c), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET).