OSHA Inspection: PIONEER MILLWORKS, INC.

Issued

Apr 19, 2018

Penalty

Initial $5,174 · Current $3,881 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  a)  Molder Area, on or about 4/10/18: An employee working as a Molder Operator was not provided with an annual audiogram.  The Molder Operator was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 108.1% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The equivalent dBA for the 108.1% dose is approximately 90.6 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 4/10/18 for 444 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 36 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.  b)  Chop Saw Area, on or about 4/10/18: An employee working as a Mill Laborer was not provided with an annual audiogram.  The Mill Laborer was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 96.1% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The equivalent dBA for the 96.1% dose is approximately 89.1 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 4/10/18 for 434 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 46 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear muffs.  c)  Head Saw Area, on or about 4/10/18: An employee working as a Head Saw Operator was not provided with an annual audiogram.  The Head Saw Operator was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 109.9% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The equivalent dBA for the 109.9% dose is approximately 90.7 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 4/10/18 for 440 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear muffs.  d)  Rip Saw Area, on or about 4/10/18: An employee working as a Sawyer was not provided with an annual audiogram.  The Sawyer was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 146.6% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The equivalent dBA for the 146.61% dose is approximately 92.8 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 4/10/18 for 433 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 47 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.  Abatement methodology:  An effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) shall be maintained.  An effective hearing conservation program shall include, at a minimum: (1)  A baseline audiogram for all employees exposed to noise levels equal to or in excess of the standard. (2)  Annual audiograms for each overexposed employee (3)  Analysis of audiogram results with retesting and/or referral to an otolaryngologist or qualified physician when a significant threshold shift occurs.  A significant shift will be considered to be equal to or greater than an average of 30 dBA over the 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz frequencies. (4)  Where insert ear plugs or custom-molded devices are utilized, individual employee fitting shall be conducted by a trained person, and employees shall be instructed in the care and use of the devices.