OSHA Inspection: EAST ALABAMA LUMBER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Nov 17, 2017

Abate by

Nov 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $12,548 · Current $8,025 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, that for employees already using hearing protectors, employees be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:  a) Facility: On or about July 13, 2017; the employer had employees with identified workplace noise related standard threshold shifts (STS) and did not re-evaluate the employees hearing protection, refit the employees hearing protection, or retrain employees in the use of hearing protection.

Issued

Nov 17, 2017

Abate by

Nov 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(C): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, the employee was referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or an ontological examination, as appropriate, if additional testing is necessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by wearing of hearing protectors:  a) Facility:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer had employee(s) with identified workplace noise related standard threshold shifts (STS) and the employee(s) were not referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or an ontological examination.

Issued

Nov 17, 2017

Abate by

Nov 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(D): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, the employee was informed of the need of an ontological examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected:  a) Facility:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer had employees with identified workplace noise related standard threshold shifts (STS) and did not inform employee(s) of the need of an ontological examination when medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.

Issued

Nov 17, 2017

Abate by

Nov 30, 2017

Penalty

Initial $25,097 · Current $15,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) to wear personal protective equipment:   a) Planer Mill Round Table:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer exposed the employees sorting lumber at the round table to noise over the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and failed to ensure the employee(s) were wearing their hearing protection. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 162.5% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (90 dBa (PEL)). The equivalent dBa level of 162.5% is approximately 93.5 dBa. The sampling was performed for 464 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 16 minutes.  b) Sawmill:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer exposed the employees operating the trim saw to noise over the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and failed to ensure the employee(s) were wearing their hearing protection. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 147.6% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (90 dBa (PEL)). The equivalent dBa level of 147.6% is approximately 92.8 dBa. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017.   Dudley Lumber Company, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.95(i)(2)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 930842, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on March 5, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 8575 Hwy 280 East, Salem AL.

Issued

Nov 17, 2017

Abate by

Dec 7, 2017

Penalty

Initial $25,097 · Current $15,000 Reduced

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) Sawmill Sorter:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer failed to ensure employees working in the sawmill sorting area with noise exposures over the Permissible Exposure Limit were provided with training on the effects of noise, purpose of hearing protection and audiometric testing. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 133.5% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (85 dBa). The equivalent dBa level of 133.5% is approximately 92.1 dBa. The sampling was performed for 478 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 2 minutes.  b) Sawmill Trimsaw:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer failed to ensure employees working in the trimsaw area with noise exposures over the Permissible Exposure Limit were provided with training on the effects of noise, purpose of hearing protection and audiometric testing. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 147.6% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (85 dBa). The equivalent dBa level of 147.6% is approximately 92.8 dBa. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017.   c) Planer Mill Round Table:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer failed to ensure employees working in the Planer Mill Round Table area with noise exposures over the Permissible Exposure Limit were provided with training on the effects of noise, purpose of hearing protection and audiometric testing. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 162.5% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (85 dBa). The equivalent dBa level of 162.5% is approximately 93.5 dBa. The sampling was performed for 464 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 16 minutes.  d) Planer Mill Stacker:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer failed to ensure employees working in the Planer Mill Stacker area with noise exposures over the Permissible Exposure Limit were provided with training on the effects of noise, purpose of hearing protection and audiometric testing. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 178.7% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (85 dBa). The equivalent dBa level of 178.7% is approximately 94.2 dBa. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017.   e) Sawmill Stacking:  On or about July 13, 2017; the employer failed to ensure employees working in the Sawmill Stacking area with noise exposures over the Action Level were provided with training on the effects of noise, purpose of hearing protection and audiometric testing. An employee was exposed to continuous noise levels at 114.2% of the allowable 8 hour time weighted average sound level (85 dBa). The equivalent dBa level of 114.7% is approximately 91.0 dBa. The sampling was performed for 452 minutes during one shift on July 13, 2017. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time, 28 minutes.  Dudley Lumber Company, Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.95(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 930842, citation number 1, item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on March 5, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 8575 Hwy 280 East, Salem AL.