OSHA Inspection: A & J ENVIRONMENTAL PALLET RECYCLING, INC.

Issued

Jul 16, 2021

Abate by

Jun 14, 2022

Penalty

Initial $10,923 · Current $5,244 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 paragraphs (c) through (o) of 29 CFR 1910.95, whenever employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent:   On or about April 28, 2021, and days prior, employees performed work on the shop floor while being exposed to noise levels that equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or an equivalent dose of fifty percent, without a continuing and effective hearing conservation program in place. The employer failed to implement the hearing conservation program to include monitoring to identify employees for inclusion into the  program, audiometric testing to provide surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and hearing conservation training.  (a) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Turbo Machine  north of the loading bays was exposed to noise at 133.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 92.2dBA, as measured over 469 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 92.1dBA accounting for the period of 11 minutes unmonitored.  (b) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a forklift  was exposed to noise at 59.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 86.4dBA, as measured over 471 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 86.2dBA accounting for the period of 9 minutes unmonitored.  (c) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Champion machine by the north end of the shop  was exposed to noise at 166.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.8dBA, as measured over 467 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 13 minutes unmonitored.  (d) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a bundle saw was exposed to noise at 82.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.8dBA, as measured over 466 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.6dBA accounting for the period of 14 minutes unmonitored.  (e) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a band saw in the northwest corner of the shop was exposed to noise at 205.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 95.4dBA, as measured over 465 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 95.2dBA accounting for the period of 15 minutes unmonitored.  (f) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a trim saw was exposed to noise at 75.4% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.2dBA, as measured over 461 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 87.9dBA accounting for the period of 19 minutes unmonitored.  (g) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet assembly on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 154.5% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.1dBA, as measured over 417 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.1dBA accounting for the period of 43 minutes unmonitored.  (h) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet repair on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 166.6% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.6dBA, as measured over 422 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 38 minutes unmonitored.  A&J Environmental Pallet Recycling Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.95(c)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1454343, citation number 1, item number 1a, and was affirmed as a final order on April 16, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 1210 Rawson Ave. in South Milwaukee, WI.

Issued

Jul 16, 2021

Abate by

Aug 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:  On or about April 28, 2021, and days prior, employees were exposed to noise hazards requiring the use of personal protective equipment without a noise monitoring program implemented for employee inclusion into a hearing conservation program:  (a) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Turbo Machine  north of the loading bays was exposed to noise at 133.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 92.2dBA, as measured over 469 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 92.1dBA accounting for the period of 11 minutes unmonitored.  (b) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a forklift  was exposed to noise at 59.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 86.4dBA, as measured over 471 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 86.2dBA accounting for the period of 9 minutes unmonitored.  (c) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Champion machine by the north end of the shop  was exposed to noise at 166.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.8dBA, as measured over 467 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 13 minutes unmonitored.  (d) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a bundle saw was exposed to noise at 82.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.8dBA, as measured over 466 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.6dBA accounting for the period of 14 minutes unmonitored.  (e) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a band saw in the northwest corner of the shop was exposed to noise at 205.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 95.4dBA, as measured over 465 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 95.2dBA accounting for the period of 15 minutes unmonitored.  (f) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a trim saw was exposed to noise at 75.4% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.2dBA, as measured over 461 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 87.9dBA accounting for the period of 19 minutes unmonitored.  (g) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet assembly on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 154.5% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.1dBA, as measured over 417 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.1dBA accounting for the period of 43 minutes unmonitored.  (h) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet repair on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 166.6% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.6dBA, as measured over 422 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 38 minutes unmonitored.  A&J Environmental Pallet Recycling Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.95(d)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1454343, citation number 1, item number 1b, and was affirmed as a final order on April 16, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 1210 Rawson Ave. in South Milwaukee, WI.

Issued

Jul 16, 2021

Abate by

Aug 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.   On or about April 28, 2021, and days prior, employees were exposed to noise hazards requiring the use of personal protective equipment without a hearing conservation program developed or implemented which included annual audiometric testing:  (a) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Turbo Machine  north of the loading bays was exposed to noise at 133.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 92.2dBA, as measured over 469 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 92.1dBA accounting for the period of 11 minutes unmonitored.  (b) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a forklift  was exposed to noise at 59.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 86.4dBA, as measured over 471 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 86.2dBA accounting for the period of 9 minutes unmonitored.  (c) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Champion machine by the north end of the shop  was exposed to noise at 166.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.8dBA, as measured over 467 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 13 minutes unmonitored.  (d) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a bundle saw was exposed to noise at 82.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.8dBA, as measured over 466 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.6dBA accounting for the period of 14 minutes unmonitored.  (e) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a band saw in the northwest corner of the shop was exposed to noise at 205.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 95.4dBA, as measured over 465 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 95.2dBA accounting for the period of 15 minutes unmonitored.  (f) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a trim saw was exposed to noise at 75.4% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.2dBA, as measured over 461 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 87.9dBA accounting for the period of 19 minutes unmonitored.  (g) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet assembly on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 154.5% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.1dBA, as measured over 417 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.1dBA accounting for the period of 43 minutes unmonitored.  (h) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet repair on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 166.6% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.6dBA, as measured over 422 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 38 minutes unmonitored.  A&J Environmental Pallet Recycling Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.95(g)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1454343, citation number 1, item number 1c, and was affirmed as a final order on April 16, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 1210 Rawson Ave. in South Milwaukee, WI.

Issued

Jul 16, 2021

Abate by

Aug 18, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not provide training to each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels. The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in a program.  On or about April 28, 2021, and days prior, employees were exposed to noise hazards requiring the use of personal protective equipment without a hearing conservation program developed or implemented which included training on topics such as:   - The effects of noise on hearing; - The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; - The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.  (a) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Turbo Machine  north of the loading bays was exposed to noise at 133.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 92.2dBA, as measured over 469 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 92.1dBA accounting for the period of 11 minutes unmonitored.  (b) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a forklift  was exposed to noise at 59.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 86.4dBA, as measured over 471 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 86.2dBA accounting for the period of 9 minutes unmonitored.  (c) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a Champion machine by the north end of the shop  was exposed to noise at 166.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.8dBA, as measured over 467 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 13 minutes unmonitored.  (d) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a bundle saw was exposed to noise at 82.9% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.8dBA, as measured over 466 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 88.6dBA accounting for the period of 14 minutes unmonitored.  (e) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a band saw in the northwest corner of the shop was exposed to noise at 205.8% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 95.4dBA, as measured over 465 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 95.2dBA accounting for the period of 15 minutes unmonitored.  (f) On April 28, 2021, an employee operating a trim saw was exposed to noise at 75.4% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 88.2dBA, as measured over 461 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 87.9dBA accounting for the period of 19 minutes unmonitored.  (g) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet assembly on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 154.5% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.1dBA, as measured over 417 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.1dBA accounting for the period of 43 minutes unmonitored.  (h) On April 28, 2021, an employee performing pallet repair on the western section of the shop was exposed to noise at 166.6% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 94.6dBA, as measured over 422 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 93.6dBA accounting for the period of 38 minutes unmonitored.  A&J Environmental Pallet Recycling Inc. was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 1910.95(k)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1454343, citation number 1, item number 1d, and was affirmed as a final order on April 16, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 1210 Rawson Ave. in South Milwaukee, WI.