OSHA Inspection: JOSEPH FOREST ENTERPRISES, INC.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Nov 7, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,508 · Current $2,705 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  (a) On or about June 14, 2019 - Carpenter Shop, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the Carpenter Shop was exposed to noise levels of 98.4 dBA. Sampling was performed for 502 minutes.  (b) On or about June 14, 2019 - Sawmill, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the Sawmill was exposed to noise levels of 95.3 dBA. Sampling was performed for 509 minutes.  (c) On or about June 14, 2019 - Viking Shop, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the Viking Shop was exposed to noise levels of 91.4 dBA. Sampling was performed for 527 minutes.  (d) On or about June 14, 2019 - Viking Shop, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the Viking Shop was exposed to noise levels of 90.1 dBA. Sampling was performed for 536 minutes.  (e) On or about June 25, 2019 - Sawmill, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the Sawmill was exposed to noise levels of 101.0 dBA. Sampling was performed for 512 minutes.  (f) On or about June 25, 2019 - Gap Nailer, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working with the Gap Nailer was exposed to noise levels of 93.5 dBA. Sampling was performed for 516 minutes.  (g) On or about June 25, 2019 - Pendu Shop, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working with the Pendu Shop was exposed to noise levels of 90.9 dBA. Sampling was performed for 469 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for time not sampled.   (h) On or about June 25, 2019 - 5-head Bandsaw Shop, the employer did not maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to an 8-hour-time-weighted average of 85 dBA or above. An employee working in the 5-head Bandsaw Shop was exposed to noise levels of 89.9 dBA. Sampling was performed for 524 minutes.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Nov 7, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(i): The employer did not establish, within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at or above the action level, a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared:  (a) On or about June 13, 2019 - Facility, the employer did not conduct baseline audiograms within 6 months, or 12 months if using a mobile van, of exposure at or above the action level.  See Citation 1, Item 1a for exposure information.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $6,762 · Current $4,057 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(ii): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels or greater:  (a) On or about June 14, 2019 - Viking Shop, an employee operating the Viking machine exposed to noise at an 8-hour TWA of 91.4 dBA was observed not wearing hearing protection.  Sampling was performed for 527 minutes.  (b) On or about June 14, 2019 - Carpenter Shop, an employee operating the pneumatic nail gun exposed to noise at an 8-hour TWA of 98.4 dBA was observed not wearing hearing protection.  Sampling was performed for 502 minutes.  (c) On or about June 25, 2019 - Gap Nailer, an employee operating the Gap 960 machine exposed to noise at an 8-hour TWA of 93.5 dBA was observed not wearing hearing protection.  An employee working with the Gap Nailer was exposed to noise levels of 93.5 dBA. Sampling was performed for 516 minutes.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(5): The employer did not ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors:  (a) On or about June 13, 2019 - Carpenter Shop, the employer did not ensure that an employee operating the pneumatic nail gun was properly wearing hearing protection.  Full shift sampling was conducted on June 14, 2019.  An employee working in the Carpenter Shop was exposed to noise levels of 98.4 dBA.  Sampling was performed for 502 minutes.  (b) On or about June 13, 2019 - Viking Area, the employer did not ensure that an employee operating the Viking machine was properly wearing hearing protection.  Full shift sampling was conducted on June 14, 2019.  An employee working in the Viking Shop was exposed to noise levels of 90.1 dBA.  Sampling was performed for 536 minutes.  (c) On or about June 13, 2019 - 5-head Band Saw Area, the employer did not ensure that an employee operating the 5-head band saw was properly wearing hearing protection. Full shift sampling was conducted on June 25, 2019.  An employee working in the 5-head Bandsaw Shop was exposed to noise levels of 89.9 dBA.  Sampling was performed for 524 minutes.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Nov 7, 2019

Penalty

Initial $4,508 · Current $2,705 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(2): The training program was not repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program. Information in the training program was not updated to be consistent with changes in protective equipment and work processes:  (a) On or about June 13, 2019 - Facility, the employer did not ensure that employees included in the hearing conservation program were trained annually.  See Citation 1, Item 1a for exposure information.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,381 · Current $2,029 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i.:  (a) On or about June 13, 2019 - Viking Shop, employees were using compressed air at 120 p.s.i. to remove sawdust from machines.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Abate by

Oct 16, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(d)(1): Washing facilities were not maintained in a sanitary condition:  (a) On or about June 20, 2019- Employee Restroom, the employer did not provide sanitary restroom facilities, in that the toilet was covered in feces.

Issued

Oct 3, 2019

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(a)(2)(x): Flexible cords and cables were not protected from accidental damage, as might be caused, for example, by sharp corners, projections, and doorways or other pinch points:  (a) On or about June 13, 2019 - Viking Shop, employees were exposed to electrical hazards in that cords for a portable fan were being run through a hole in the metal wall to the adjacent shop.