OSHA Inspection: TROYMILL WOOD PRODUCTS

Issued

Nov 19, 2018

Abate by

Nov 29, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,497 · Current $3,298 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1):  When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:    On or about October 23, 2018, in several areas of the facility several operators were exposed to continuous noise above 100% of the daily permissible exposure (8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 90 dBA) including, but not limited to the following locations:    a.  The nailing operator, north table, was exposed to 198.4% or equivalent sound level of approximately 94.94dBA during the 472 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 8 minutes not sampled;  b.  The nailing operator, middle table, was exposed to 158% or equivalent sound level of approximately 93.29dBA during the   471 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 9 minutes not sampled.  c.  The baker line operator, start of the process/saws, was exposed to 181.9% or equivalent sound level of approximately 94.32dBA during the 458 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 22 minutes not sampled:  d.  The baker line operator, end of the process/staking, was exposed to 176.4% or equivalent sound level of 94.1dBA during the 453 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 27 minutes not sampled.  e.  The brewer saw operator, beginning of the process/saws, was exposed to 323% or equivalent sound level of 98.3dBA  during the 419 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 61 minutes not sampled.  f.  The brewer saw operator, end of the process/stacking, was exposed to 177.5% or equivalent sound level of 94.14dBA during the 452 minute sampling period.  Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 28 minutes not sampled.    Abatement Steps:    1.  Effective hearing protection shall be provided and used by all exposed employees as an interim protection measure and when administrative or engineering controls fail to reduce sound level within the levels of table G-16.  In addition, an effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) thru (n) shall be maintained.  ABATEMENT MUST BE COMPLETED BY (15 days after issue date).    2.  Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to noise as referenced in this citation.  This plan shall include at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation.  ABATEMENT MUST BE COMPLETED BY (45 days after issue date).    a)  Evaluation of engineering control options.    b)  Selection of optimum control method and completion of design.    c)  Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures.    d)  Testing and acceptance or modifications/redesign of controls.    3.   Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.  ABATEMENT MUST BE COMPLETED BY (60 days after issue date).