OSHA Inspection: F & L PALLETS, INC.

Issued

Sep 19, 2019

Abate by

Oct 24, 2019

Penalty

Initial $3,789 · Current $2,500 Reduced

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:      On September 12, 2019, at F & L Pallets, Inc. Maywood, Illinois, did not institute an effective hearing conservation program, which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing and training for employees as detailed in the standard, when employee noise exposures were at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.    a) On September 12, 2019, an employee using the pallet dismantler #1 located at the southwest corner of building was exposed to continuous noise levels at 135 % of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 135 % is approximately 92.2 dBA. The sampling was performed for 264 minutes during one 8-hour shift. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period.       b) On September 12, 2019, an employee using the pallet dismantler #2, located near dismantler #1 was exposed to continuous noise levels at 197.7 % of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 197.7% is approximately 94.9 dBA. The sampling was performed for 332 minutes during one 8-hour shift. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period.       c) On September 12, 2019, an employee operating the chop saw along the west wall of the shop, was exposed to continuous noise levels at 208.9 % of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 208.9% is approximately 95.3 dBA. The sampling was performed for 344 minutes during one 8-hour shift. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period.      d) On September 12, 2019, an employee using the nail gun in the center of the nail gun area was exposed to continuous noise levels at 76.86% of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (90dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 76.86% is approximately 88.1 dBA. The sampling was performed for 326 minutes during one 8-hour shift. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time period.    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.