OSHA Inspection: PRIME WOODCRAFT, INC.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $5,683 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.  a. On or about January 4, 2019, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet repair duties at table 8. The employee was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 80.43 % during the 147 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on January 4, 2019. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 88.43 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.  b. On or about January 4, 2019, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet repair duties at table 3. The employee was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 131.5 % during the 148 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on January 4, 2019. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 91.99 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.   c. On or about January 4, 2019, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet repair duties at table 13. The employee was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 297.1 % during the 150 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on January 4, 2019. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 97.85 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.   d. On or about January 4, 2019, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet repair duties at table 1. The employee was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 230.9 % during the 150 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on January 4, 2019. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 96.04 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.   e. On or about January 4, 2019, the employer failed to implement and administer a hearing conservation program for an employee performing pallet repair duties at table 7. The employee was exposed to noise at a measured dose of 223.5 % during the 155 minute sampling period for noise dosimetry performed on January 4, 2019. This exposure resulted in an 8 hour time weighted average of 95.8 decibels as measured on the A scale (dBA) exceeding the 85 dBA requirements of this part. Zero exposure was assumed for the time not sampled. The employee had not received baseline audiometric testing and had not participated in a training program as required by this part. Effects of exposure to elevated noise levels included hearing damage and increased risk for permanent hearing loss.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $5,683 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(1): Energy control program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.  On or about December 6, 2018, the employer failed to establish a program that included the specific energy control procedures that complied with section 1910.147(c)(4) of this part. When employees performed required duties covered by this part, they were subjected to hazards that included caught-in, struck-by and contact hazards associated with the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) related to pallet line equipment that included a conveyor, paint equipment and a pallet stacking machine.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): Energy control procedure.  29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(ii): The procedures shall clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be utilized for the control of hazardous energy, and the means to enforce compliance including, but not limited to, the following:  On or about December 6, 2018, the employer failed to develop and maintain machine specific energy control procedures that contained the elements (A) - (D) for this part, for equipment associated with the pallet line. The pallet line included conveyor equipment, painting equipment and a pallet stacker that were covered by this requirement. This equipment contained pneumatic, chemical, mechanical and electrical stored energy sources of stored energy. During covered activities, employees had exposure to caught-in, struck-by and contact hazards associated with the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout).

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,683 · Current $3,410 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l):  Operator training.  29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2): Training program implementation.  29 CFR 1910.178(l)(2)(ii): Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.  On or about December 6, 2018, the employer failed to ensure that each powered industrial truck operator had successfully completed the training and evaluation required by this part. Two operators had not received the practical training required by this part.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $9,472 · Current $5,683 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f):  Gears, sprockets, and chains -   29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprockets and chains. All sprocket wheels and chains shall be enclosed unless they are more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform. Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided. This subparagraph does not apply to manually operated sprockets.  On or about December 6, 2018, the employer failed to guard and completely enclose the sprockets and chains at the exit of the pallet stacking machine. The ingoing nip point on the south side of the conveyor belt was not adequately guarded in that there was an approximate inch by inch and a half opening in guard at the nip point. On the north side of the conveyor belt, the ingoing nip point for the sprocket and chain was completely unguarded. Due to this condition, employees operating and monitoring the equipment were exposed to a caught-in hazard.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d): Hazard assessment and equipment selection.  29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.  On or about December 11, 2018, the employer failed to certify in writing the required workplace hazard assessment required to determine the hazards present that necessitated the selection and use of personal protective equipment, such as, but not limited to, eye protection and hand protection on the pallet repair line.

Issued

Apr 1, 2019

Abate by

May 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 2037

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.  On or about December 6, 2018, the employer failed to provide employees information and training on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. A maintenance employee had not received the required training for chemicals used, such as lubricants and WD-40.