OSHA Inspection: EFFORT FOUNDRY, INC.

Issued

Jun 20, 2018

Abate by

Mar 31, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $4,559 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): Employees were subjected to sound levels which exceeded those listed in table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:    a.)  Arc Cutting Area - On or about April 9, 2018, Employees, who were arc cutting castings were exposed to continuous noise at 1141.% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 108 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 453 minute sampling period on April 9, 2018. A zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled.      b.)  Grinding Area - On or about April 9, 2018, Employees, who were grinding castings were exposed to continuous noise at 1020.% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 101.6 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 455 minute sampling period on April 9, 2018. A zero exposure was assumed for the 25 minutes not sampled.       Feasible abatement actions include but are not limited to:    1. Limit the amount of time that employees can work in the grinding and/or arc cutting areas during any one work period.  2. Separate stations further a part  and install sound absorbing materials to cut down on noise affecting other employees.  3.  Install muffler/dampers on all air tools.  4.  Use lower air pressure and amperage on arc cutting process.  5.  Place a longer handle on the arc cutting tool so that employee can be further from noise source.    ABATEMENT NORMALLY WILL BE MULTISTEP AS FOLLOWS:       Step 1:  SUBMIT TO THE AREA DIRECTOR A WRITTEN, DETAILED PLAN OF ABATEMENT OUTLINING A SCHEDULE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AS REFERENCED IN THIS CITATION.  THIS PLAN SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, TARGET DATES FOR THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WHICH MUST BE CONSISTANT WITH THE ABATEMENT DATES REQUIRED BY THIS CITATION:      (1)    EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING/ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OPTIONS;      (2)     SELECTION OF OPTIUM CONTROL METHODS AND COMPLETION OF DESIGN;      (3)    PROCUREMENT, INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF SELECTED CONTROL MEASURES; AND       (4)    TESTING AND ACCEPTANCE OR MODIFICATION/REDESIGN OF CONTROLS.      THIRTY- (30) DAY PROGRESS REPORTS ARE REQUIRED DURING THE ABATEMENT PERIOD.        Step2:  ABATEMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS UPON THE VERIFICATION OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS IN ACHIEVING COMPLIANCE.

Issued

Jun 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,497 · Current $2,749 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(m)(2)(ii)(E): The employee audiometric test records did not include the employee's most recent noise exposure assessment:    a.)  Arc Cutting Area - On or about April 9, 2018, Employees, who were arc cutting castings were exposed to continuous noise at 1141.% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 108 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 453 minute sampling period on 4/9/18. A zero exposure was assumed for the 27 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not maintain the most recent exposure assessment for the copper clad carbon graphite arc cutting operation.    b.)  Grinding Area - On or about April 9, 2018, Employees, who were grinding castings were exposed to continuous noise at 382.% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 99.6 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 456 minute sampling period on 4/9/18. A zero exposure was assumed for the 24 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not maintain the most recent exposure assessment for the grinding operation.     c.)  Grinding Area - On or about April 9, 2018, Employees, who were grinding castings were exposed to continuous noise at 1020.% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight hour time weighted average (TWA) noise exposure of 101.6 dBA. This exposure was observed occurring over a 455 minute sampling period on 4/9/18. A zero exposure was assumed for the 25 minutes not sampled.  The employer did not maintain the most recent exposure assessment for the grinding operation.