OSHA Inspection: RUPE INDUSTRIES, LLC

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,827 · Current $4,779 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:   a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - The employer had not developed and implemented a comprehensive hearing conservation program. On or about April 7, 2021, the following noise exposures were measured:  1. A machine operator was exposed to a mixed noise level of 95.9 dBA, and 95.8 dBA or an equivalent dose of 229.3% and 225.6% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while operating a notcher. This level was based on 345 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time;   2. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 90.3 dBA, and 89.4 dBA or an equivalent dose of 104.8% and 92.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 362 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time; and  3. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 91.5 dBA, and 91.3 dBA or an equivalent dose of 124.2% and 120.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 348 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:   a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets- The employer had not developed and implemented a noise monitoring program. On or about April 7, 2021, the following noise exposures were measured:  1. A machine operator was exposed to a mixed noise level of 95.9 dBA, and 95.8 dBA or an equivalent dose of 229.3% and 225.6% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while operating a notcher. This level was based on 345 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time;   2. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 90.3 dBA, and 89.4 dBA or an equivalent dose of 104.8% and 92.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 362 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time; and  3. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 91.5 dBA, and 91.3 dBA or an equivalent dose of 124.2% and 120.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 348 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - the employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program for employees exposed to noise above the action level. On or about April 7, 2021, the following noise exposures were measured:  1. A machine operator was exposed to a mixed noise level of 95.9 dBA, and 95.8 dBA or an equivalent dose of 229.3% and 225.6% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while operating a notcher. This level was based on 345 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time;   2. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 90.3 dBA, and 89.4 dBA or an equivalent dose of 104.8% and 92.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 362 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time; and  3. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 91.5 dBA, and 91.3 dBA or an equivalent dose of 124.2% and 120.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 348 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

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) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - the employer did not provide hearing conservation training for employees exposed to noise above the action level. On or about April 7, 2021, the following noise exposures were measured:  1. A machine operator was exposed to a mixed noise level of 95.9 dBA, and 95.8 dBA or an equivalent dose of 229.3% and 225.6% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while operating a notcher. This level was based on 345 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time;   2. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 90.3 dBA, and 89.4 dBA or an equivalent dose of 104.8% and 92.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 362 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time; and  3. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 91.5 dBA, and 91.3 dBA or an equivalent dose of 124.2% and 120.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 348 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $4,096 · Current $2,867 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0560W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):   a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - On or April 7, 2021 and at times prior there to, employees worked with and around  hazardous substances including, but not limited to, machine oils, wood dust, and carbon monoxide, during production operations.  The employer had not developed and implemented a written Hazard Communication Program.   Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0560W103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - On or April 7, 2021 and at times prior there to, employees worked with and around  hazardous substances including, but not limited to, machine oils, wood dust, and carbon monoxide, during production operations.  Hazard communication training had not been provided to employees.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(l)(1): The employer did not make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 and did not post a copy in the workplace:    a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets- A copy of 29 CFR 1910.95 was not made available to employees exposed to noise above the action level. On or about April 7, 2021, the following noise exposures were measured:  1. A machine operator was exposed to a mixed noise level of 95.9 dBA, and 95.8 dBA or an equivalent dose of 229.3% and 225.6% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while operating a notcher. This level was based on 345 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time;   2. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 90.3 dBA, and 89.4 dBA or an equivalent dose of 104.8% and 92.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 362 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time; and  3. A stacker was exposed to a mixed noise level of 91.5 dBA, and 91.3 dBA or an equivalent dose of 124.2% and 120.4% respectively, as an 8-hour TWA, while stacking. This level was based on 348 minutes of sampling; zero exposure was considered for the unsampled time.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

May 3, 2021

Abate by

Jun 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:   a) Rupe Industries, LLC DBA Johnson Industries Pallets - On or April 7, 2021 and at times prior there to, an employee voluntarily utilizing a 3M 8210V N95 particulate respirator, while loading wood dust into dump-trucks, was not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134.  Abatement certification is required within 10 days after the abatement date noted on the citation. This certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date abatement was completed, method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.