OSHA Inspection: NIX FOREST INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

May 24, 2018

Abate by

Jul 12, 2018

Penalty

Initial $7,114 · Current $4,268 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) In the planer mill, at least three employees did not receive an annual audiogram.  Their most recent audiogram was in January 2017.

Issued

May 24, 2018

Abate by

Jul 12, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,959 · Current $5,975 Reduced

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) The employer did not institute a training program that included annual training on the effects of noise on hearing; the purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and the purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures, for employees working in the mill areas who were exposed to noise above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.

Issued

May 24, 2018

Abate by

Jun 20, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.10(a): Where an employee's hearing test (audiogram) revealed that the employee had experienced a work-related Standard Threshold Shift (STS) in hearing in one or both ears, and the employee's total hearing level was 25 decibels (dB) or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) in the same ear(s) as the STS, the employer did not record the case on the OSHA 300 Log:  (a) Two planer operators who worked in the planer mill had work-related standard threshold shifts on or about January 5, 2018 and the employer did not record the cases on the OSHA Form 300.

Issued

May 24, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.41(a)(2): The establishment had 20 or more employees but fewer than 250 employees at any time during the previous calendar year, and the establishment was classified in an industry listed in appendix A to subpart E of this part, but did not electronically submit information from OSHA 300A Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to OSHA or OSHA's designee.  The employer did not submit the information once a year, no later than the date listed in paragraph (c) of this section of the year after the calendar year covered by the form:  (a) Located at Nix Forest Industries, Inc., 14732 State Highway 87, Timpson, TX 75975: On or about April 12, 2018, and times prior thereto, the employer failed to electronically submit information from their 2016 OSHA Form 300A or equivalent by December 15, 2017.  The establishment had 55 employees and was classified in NAICS 321113 during calendar year 2016.