OSHA Inspection: DEB EL FOOD PRODUCTS, LLC

Issued

Oct 2, 2018

Abate by

Feb 19, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,977 · Current $4,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1): Employees were subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table G-16 of Subpart G of 29 CFR 1910 and feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized to reduce sound levels:     a)  Wash Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Wash Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 331% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 331% dose is approximately 98.6dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 446 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 34 minutes not sampled. Empoloyee was wearing ear plugs.  Engineering controls were not used to reduce noise levels.      a)  Wash Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Wash Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 371% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 371% dose is approximately 99.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 448 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 32 minutes not sampled. Empoloyee was wearing ear plugs.  Engineering controls were not used to reduce noise levels.     Abatement Note: A feasible form of an engineering control includes, but is not limited to: enclosing the blowers on the dishwasher

Issued

Oct 2, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i):  The wearing of hearing protectors was not ensured for employees exposed to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table G16 of 29 CFR 1910.95 as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1):   a)  Wash Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Wash Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 331% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 331% dose is approximately 98.6dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 446 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 34 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs on 8/15/18 however, employee was observed not wearing hearing protection on 7/11/18.

Issued

Oct 2, 2018

Abate by

Feb 19, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,977 · Current $4,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8 hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 dBA:     a)  Wash Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Wash Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 331% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 331% dose is approximately 98.6dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 446 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 34 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.        b)  Wash Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Wash Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 371% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 371% dose is approximately 99.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 448 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 32 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.      c)  Red Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Packaging Employee working in the Red Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 106.3% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 106.3% dose is approximately 90.4 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 468 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 12 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    d)  Red Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Packaging Employee working in the Red Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 107.6% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 107.6% dose is approximately 90.5 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 468 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 12 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    e)  Filling Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Filling Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 79.6% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 79.6% dose is approximately 88.4 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 449 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 31 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    f)  Filling Room, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Filling Room was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 98.7% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 98.7% dose is approximately 89.3 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 456 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 24 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.    g)  Final Scramble & Loader Area, on or about 8/15/18: A Production Employee working in the Final Scramble & Loader Area was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 119.2% of the dose of the OSHA permissible exposure limit.  The equivalent dBA for the 119.2% dose is approximately 91.2 dBA calculated as the 8 hour time weighted sound pressure level.  The sampling was conducted on 8/15/18 for 443 minutes. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 37 minutes not sampled. Employee was wearing ear plugs.     Abatement methodology:   Step 1: 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.