OSHA Inspection: BALDWIN POLE AND PILING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Apr 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $5,461 · Current $3,000 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) peeler area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in the peeler area to noise at levels of 141.8% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 93.0 dBA) which is 3.04 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 478 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.    b) classifying area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in classifying area to noise at levels of 114.1% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 90.9 dBA) which is 2.28 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 476 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Apr 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Peeler area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in the peeler area to noise at levels of 141.8% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 93.0 dBA) which is 3.04 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 478 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not make audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.    b) Classifying area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in classifying area to noise at levels of 114.1% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 90.9 dBA) which is 2.28 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 476 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not make audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.

Issued

Apr 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:   a) Peeler area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in the peeler area to noise at levels of 141.8% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 93.0 dBA) which is 3.04 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 478 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not provide training on the effects of noise as part of a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.    b) Classifying area; on February 2, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed the employees operating in classifying area to noise at levels of 114.1% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 90.9 dBA) which is 2.28 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85dBA).  Results were calculated for a 476 minutes sampling period.  The employer did not provide training on the effects of noise as part of a continuing, effective hearing conservation program.

Issued

Apr 15, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(2)(i):Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  a) pole treatment area office beside main office; on January 20, 2021 and times prior the employer exposed  employees to chemical hazards by allowing employees to store their assigned respirators by laying the respirators on the bench in office with no protection from contamination and deformation of full facepiece.