OSHA Inspection: RIVER VALLEY RECYCLING, LLC

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

Jun 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,819 · Current $4,177 Reduced

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:    a.  In the facility, an employee performing work on the Production Line 1 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 343% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 90 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 98.9 dBA for the 449 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 31 minutes not sampled.    b.  In the facility, an employee performing work in the Didion Room was exposed to continuous noise levels at 297.4% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 90 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 97.9 dBA for the 464 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 16 minutes not sampled.    c.  In the facility, an employee performing work on Production Line 4 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 207.7% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 90 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 95.3 dBA for the 499 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.      d.  In the facility, an employee performing work on Production Line 17 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 158.5% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 90 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 93.3 dBA for the 446 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 34 minutes not sampled.    e.  In the facility, an employee performing work as Furnace Operator #2 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 87.16% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 80 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 89 dBA for the 434 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 46 minutes not sampled.    f.  In the facility, an employee performing work as a Furnace Operator #1 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 76.14% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with an 80 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 88.0 dBA for the 451 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 29 minutes not sampled.    g.  In the facility, an employee performing work in the Didion Room was exposed to continuous noise levels at 57.72% of the permissible daily dose level, when measured with a 80 dBA threshold, or an average equivalent sound level of the approximately 86 dBA for the 459 minute sampling time on February 7, 2019.  Exposure calculation included a zero increment for the 21 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $5,115 · Current $4,177 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:      a.  On or about January 9, 2019, in the Didion Room, employees were required to wear tight fitting negative pressure full face respirators.  The employer failed to ensure that the employees required to wear the respiratory protection had been provided with a medical evaluation.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): The employer did not ensure that employees using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were fit tested prior to the initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) was used, and at least annually thereafter:   a.  On or about January 9, 2019, in the Didion Room, employees were required to wear tight fitting negative pressure full face respirators.  The employer failed to ensure that the employees required to wear the respiratory protection had been provided with either an initial use fit test or had received an annual fit test, accordingly.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:   a.  On or about January 9, 2019, in the Didion Room, employees were required to wear tight fitting negative pressure full face respirators.  The employer failed to ensure that the employees required to wear the respiratory protection had been provided with training which included but was not limited to proper fit, usage and maintenance of the respirators.

Issued

Apr 24, 2019

Abate by

Jun 11, 2019

Penalty

Initial $8,525 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1025(l)(1)(i): Employee(s) working in an area where there is potential exposure to airborne lead at any level were not informed of the content of Appendices A and B of 29 CFR 1910.1025:    a.  On or about January 9, 2019, in the facility, employees were exposed to lead when processing radiators and sorting metal(s).  The employer failed to provide employees with the information contained in Appendix A and B of the lead standard.