OSHA Inspection: WESTWOOD PRODUCTS, INC

Issued

Jul 19, 2018

Abate by

Sep 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,049 · Current $2,134 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  FACILITY  On, or about, June 20, 2018, the employer did not implement and administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program for employees  exposed to noise exceeding the 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) sound level of 85 decibels:   a) On June 28, 2018, a laborer, operating pneumatic air guns was exposed to continuous noise levels at 76.69% of the allowable time-weighted average (TWA) sound action level of 85.0 dBA.  The equivalent dB-A level of 76.69% for 405 minutes is approximately 88.0 dBA. Zero exposure was assumed for the 75 minutes not measured.     b)  On June 28, 2018, a laborer, operating pneumatic air guns and woodcutting machinery was exposed to continuous noise levels at 76.18% of the allowable time-weighted average (TWA) sound action level of 85.0 dBA.  The equivalent dB-A level of 76.18% for 399 minutes is approximately 88.0 dBA. Zero exposure was assumed for the 81 minutes not measured.     c)  On June 28, 2018, a laborer operating pneumatic air guns and woodcutting machinery was exposed to continuous noise levels at 86.4% of the allowable time-weighted average (TWA) sound action level of 85.0 dBA.  The equivalent dB-A level of 86.4% for 402 minutes is approximately 89.0 dBA. Zero exposure was assumed for the 78 minutes not measured.   Elements of an effective hearing conservation program include:     1)         Monitoring of employee noise exposure;  2)         The institution of engineering, work practice and administrative controls for excessive noise;    3)         The provision of each overexposed employee with an individually fitted hearing protector with an adequate noise reduction rating;     4)         Employee training and education regarding noise hazards and protection measures; 5)         Baseline and annual audiometry;    6)         Procedures for preventing further occupational hearing loss by an employee whenever such an event has been identified;     7)         Record keeping