OSHA Inspection: HIGHLAND BAKING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jan 16, 2019

Abate by

Mar 6, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,130 · Current $8,130

Hazardous substances 81108111

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 1910.95(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:     Highland Baking Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL - On December 18, 2018, the employer did not institute an effective hearing conservation program for all employees working in the South Production Area, including Lines 1 through 4, when employee noise exposures were at or above the 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels.      a) Operator on Line #4 in the South Production Area was exposed to continuous noise levels at 69.75% of the allowable OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 69.75% is approximately 87.4 dBA, which exceeds the action level of 85 dBA. The sampling was performed for 453 minutes during an 8-hour shift on December 18, 2018. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period of 27 minutes.      b) An unloader at Line #4 in the South Production Area was exposed to continuous noise levels at 85.32% of the allowable OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 85.32% is approximately 88.7 dBA, which exceeds the action level of 85 dBA. The sampling was performed for 452 minutes during an 8-hour shift on December 18, 2018. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period of 28 minutes.      c) A line worker stationed midway at Line #4 in the South Production Area was exposed to continuous noise levels at 95.45% of the allowable OSHA 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 95.45% is approximately 89.7 dBA, which exceeds the action level of 85 dBA. The sampling was performed for 447 minutes during an 8-hour shift on December 18, 2018. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period of 33 minutes.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification.  This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.