OSHA Inspection: AMERICAN WALNUT COMPANY LLC

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,959 · Current $4,980 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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:    The employer is failing to protect employees exposed to serious noise hazards. This was most recently observed on or about April 12, 2018 when employees including a grader and drawer were observed without hearing protection while working in areas requiring use of hearing protection.     1. A  grader working adjacent to a bandsaw in the gunroom/sawmill was observed working without hearing protection on April 12, 2018. Full shift sampling of multiple employees working at this location on April 18, 2018 indicated that the employee was exposed to continuous noise up to 154% of the permissible daily noise (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 93.2 decibels. Noise sample was taken for 473 minutes; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 7 minutes not sampled.    2. A drawer working adjacent to a bandsaw in the gunroom/sawmill was observed working without hearing protection on  Full shift sampling of multiple employees working at this location on April 18, 2018 indicated that the employee was exposed to continuous noise up to 154% of the permissible daily noise (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 93.2 decibels. Noise sample was taken for 473 minutes; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 7 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater and has not yet had a baseline audiogram established pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii):    The employer is failing to protect employees  exposed to serious noise hazards. This was most recently documented on or about April 12, 2018 when multiple employees were observed working without hearing protection in the gunroom/sawmill and "Jay's House." At least two of the employees had not yet had a baseline audiogram established.    1. A  sawyer operating a bandsaw in the gunroom/sawmill was observed working without hearing protection on April 12, 2018.  Full shift sampling of this employee on April 18, 2018 indicated that the employee was exposed to continuous noise at 97.6% of the permissible daily noise (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 decibels. Noise sample was taken for 476 minutes; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 4 minutes not sampled. This employee had not yet received a baseline audiogram.    2.  An employee working at the planer in "Jay's House" was observed without hearing protection on April 12, 2018.Full shift sampling of the employee  on April 18, 2018 indicated that the employee was exposed to continuous noise at 97.8% of the permissible daily noise (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90dBA) or an equivalent sound level of approximately 89.8 decibels. Noise sample was taken for 464 minutes; exposure calculations included a zero increment for the 16 minutes not sampled. This employee had not yet received a baseline audiogram.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,268 · Current $2,134 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)    The employer is failing to protect employees from hazards of contact with chemicals. This was most recently documented on April 18, 2018, when the employer had not conducted a job hazard assessment to determine appropriate PPE for tasks involving the use of diesel fuel in the sawmill/gunroom. Employees spray diesel fuel using plastic spray bottles to lubricate saws throughout work shifts.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands were exposed to hazardous condition(s).    The employer is failing to protect employees from hazards of contact with toxic and irritating chemicals. This was most recently documented on April 18, 2018, when employees working in the gunroom/sawmill used diesel fuel to lubricate band saws. Employees were provided with and leather work gloves and cloth gloves with rubberized grips for optional use in this work area; provided glove materials are permeable to diesel fuel.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,268 · Current $0 Reduced

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.    The employer is failing to protect employees from fire hazards and exposure to toxic chemicals. This was most recently observed on or about April 18, 2018 when spray bottles of diesel fuel used for saw lubrication throughout the gunroom/sawmill were not labeled to identify their contents and hazards.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,536 · Current $4,268 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(ii): Machine(s) that created dust, shavings, chips, or slivers during a period of time equal to or greater than one-fourth of the working day were not equipped with collecting system(s)of sufficient strength and capacity to enable it to remove such refuse from points of operation and immediate vicinities of machines and work areas:    The employer is failing to protect employees from serious fire and slip hazards. This was most recently documented on April 12 and 18, 2018, when wood dust had accumulated on and immediately surrounding multiple machines located in the sawmill/gunroom.    1) Bandsaw #1 was not equipped with a collection system that was sufficient to remove refuse from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the floor surrounding the machine to depths exceeding 1 inch and showing clear footprints, on damaged electrical fixtures on the machine, against the adjacent conveyer installation to depths exceeding 1 inch, and within the chains and sprockets of the conveyer adjacent to bandsaw #1.    2) Bandsaw #3 was not equipped with a collection system that was sufficient to remove refuse from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the floor surrounding the machine, against the adjacent conveyer installation, and against ceiling supports and wood debris piles surrounding the machine.    3.  The chop saw was not equipped with a collection system that was sufficient to remove refuse from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the machine, which had damaged cover over electrical controls, the floor surrounding the machine, on the base of the machine, against ceiling supports and wood piles surrounding the machine.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(20)(iii): Exhaust or conveyor systems. Each woodworking machine that creates dust, shavings, chips, or slivers shall be equipped with an exhaust or conveyor system located and adjusted to remove the maximum amount of refuse from the point of operation and immediate vicinity.    The employer is failing to protect employees from serious fire and slip hazards. This was most recently documented on April 12 and 18, 2018, when wood dust had accumulated on and immediately surrounding multiple machines located in the sawmill/gunroom.    1) Bandsaw #1 was not equipped with an exhaust system that was located and adjusted to remove dust/shavings/chips, etc., away from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the floor surrounding the machine to depths exceeding 1 inch and showing clear footprints, on damaged electrical fixtures on the machine, against the adjacent conveyer installation to depths exceeding 1 inch, and within the chains and sprockets of the conveyer adjacent to bandsaw #1.    2) Bandsaw #3 was not equipped with an exhaust system that was located and adjusted to remove dust/shavings/chips, etc., away from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the floor surrounding the machine, against the adjacent conveyer installation, and against ceiling supports and wood debris piles surrounding the machine.    3. The chop saw was not equipped with an exhaust system that was located and adjusted to remove dust/shavings/chips, etc., away from the point of operation. Dust had accumulated on the machine, which had damaged cover over electrical controls, the floor surrounding the machine, on the base of the machine, against ceiling supports and wood piles surrounding the machine.

Issued

Sep 6, 2018

Abate by

Aug 19, 2019

Penalty

Initial $49,796 · Current $35,094 Reduced

Hazardous substances E101E200M104

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): 29 CFR 1910.22(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, service rooms, and walking-working surfaces were kept in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.    The employer is failing to ensure that surfaces inside two buildings are being kept clean of wood dust which could create potential hazards. This was most recently documented on April 18, 2018, when wood dust had accumulated on elevated surfaces throughout enclosed buildings; dust had accumulated on the surfaces of walls, wall ledges, on top of observable elevated beams and ductwork, and within light fixtures suspended from the ceiling. Dust collected from surfaces within enclosed buildings had a Kst of 24.72, Pressure Ratio of 8.61, and an Explosion Severity of 2.0900.    1) Wood dust accumulation in the Behind the Office building was observed on machinery and electrical fixtures, covering the majority of wall surface from floor to ceiling, as well as covering the tops of all beams and duct work visible from the floor. Dust accumulation depth was measured at approximately 1 inch on a wall ledge to the right of the microwave.    2) Wood dust accumulation in Jays House building was observed covering the majority of wall surface from floor to ceiling and covering the tops of all beams and duct work visible from the floor. Dust accumulation depth was measured at 3 locations on the wall ledge along the planer area. Dust accumulation was approximately 4/32 inch, 2 inches, and 3 inches at measurement locations.      American Walnut Company LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard (1910.22(a)(1)), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 959136, citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on September 9, 2014, with respect to a workplace located at 2801 South 2nd Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri.