OSHA Inspection: WIREGRASS BLOCK AND PRECAST, LLC

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Penalty

Initial $3,218 · Current $3,218

Hazardous substances 8111

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) Lithibar Matik palletizer operator: On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 79.7% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 88.3 dbA) which is approximately 1.594 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dbA) and the employer failed to provide audiometric testing for employee. Results are based on a 448 minutes consecutive sampling period conducted.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $1,931 · Current $1,931

Hazardous substances X100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii):Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least 5 feet high and having a resistance rating of  at least one half hour.  a)	Outside of block manufacturing shop:  On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, employee(s) were exposed to hazards from compressed oxygen tanks and acetylene tanks being stored next to each other.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $219 · Current $219

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1):The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:  a)	Mixer area: On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards by providing and requiring employees to wear tight fitting negative pressure respirators without providing the employees with medical evaluation to determine their ability to use a respirator.  Wiregrass Block & Precast, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1), which was contained in OSHA inspection number_1486747, citation number 2, item number 2 b and was affirmed as a final order on October 19, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 16100 W US Highway 84, Newton, AL 36352.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $219 · Current $219

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2):Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a)	Mixer area: On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards by providing and requiring employees to wear half face negative pressure respirators when cleaning the mixer/hopper without fit testing employees prior to initial use of the respirators.  Wiregrass Block & Precast, LLC was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 20 CFR 1910.134(f)(2), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1486747, citation number 2, item number 2c and was affirmed as a final order on October 19, 2020, with respect to a workplace located at 16100 W US Highway 84, Newton, AL 36352.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(l)(3):The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials related to the employer's training and education program pertaining to this standard to the Assistant Secretary and the Director.  a) Lithibar Matik palletizer operator: On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, the employer exposed employees to noise at levels of 79.7% (equivalent to an 8 hour time weighted average TWA of 88.3 dBA) which is approximately 1.594 times the action level of 50% (equivalent to an 8 hour TWA of 85 dBA) and the employer failed to provide documented training on the hearing protection and the hazards of noise. Results are based on a 448 minutes consecutive sampling period conducted.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 91309135

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(3)(iv):The employer did not provide the appropriate respirator for protection against particulates:  a)	Block manufacturing shop:  On or about September 9, 2021 and at times prior to, employees were exposed to inhalation hazards from nuisance dust during cleaning tasks of the mixer and the employer requires use of a  3M half mask tight fitting respirator with improper cartridge selection for the particulate hazard.

Issued

Oct 20, 2021

Abate by

Oct 28, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1)(i):The employer did not compile a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using a product identifier that was referenced on the appropriate safety data sheet.  a)	Shop and Yard area:  On or about May 4, 2021 and at times prior to,  the employer exposed employees to health and safety hazards while working with chemicals and materials such as sand to make block and did not have a chemical inventory list available.