OSHA Inspection: RATH LLC

Issued

Sep 14, 2020

Abate by

Oct 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,441 · Current $2,409 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(6): At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer did not obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  Annual audiograms were not continued.  Employees, including in dry and wet sanding departments, were exposed to noise levels exceeding the action level of 50% (85 dBA) as documented on 9-2-20.  One dry sander was exposed at a level of 129.7% (390 minutes time sampled), and one wet sander at a level of 132.3% (434 minutes).  (Note: successor employers are required to continue implementation of a hearing conservation program as established by the previous employer.  The employee's previous baseline is required to be used for comparison to annual results.  With newly employed employees, a baseline would have to be established according to 1910.95(g)(5)(i).)  Abatement documentation is required for this violation.

Issued

Sep 14, 2020

Abate by

Oct 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(m)(5): The successor employer did not retain all records for the remainder of the period prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.95(m)(3):  Rath LLC did not acquire employee hearing test records when taking over the company from the previous company.  Past hearing test records were not available at the time of the inspection.  A hearing conservation program was implemented by the previous company.  Abatement documentation is required for this violation.

Issued

Sep 14, 2020

Abate by

Oct 27, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer did not 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:  At the time of the inspection a documented personal protective equipment hazard assessment was not available.  Personal protective equipment used by employees included safety glasses, gloves, safety shoes, hearing protection, and respiratory protection, including single use disposable and half mask cartridge respirators provided for voluntary use.  Abatement documentation is required for this violation.