OSHA Inspection: L&N METAL WORKS LLC

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Jan 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $2,926 · Current $1,463 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):  The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed 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. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment:  On or about May 24, 2021, the employer did not administer a hearing conservation program to protect an employee removing mill scale from plate steel with a hand grinder.  The employee was exposed to noise at 88.47% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 438 minutes during one shift.  88.47% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 89.1 dBA.  All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) must be covered in a hearing conservation program. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following:  1)  Noise level monitoring 2)  Audiometric testing 3)  Wearing of hearing protection 4)  Training program 5)  Providing copies of standard to employees 6)  Recordkeeping

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Jan 3, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 decibels.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer had not established an audiometric testing program for an employee who was exposed to an 8-hour TWA greater than 85 decibels.  The employee, removing mill scale from plate steel with a hand grinder was exposed to noise at 88.47% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 438 minutes during one shift.  88.47% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 89.1 dBA.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,341 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.157(e)(1):The employer shall be responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.  On or about May 19, 2021, a fire extinguisher mounted to the Toyota 5FG35 forklift had not had annual maintenance performed since June of 2018 exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,926 · Current $1,463 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.254(d)(9)(iii):Cables with damaged insulation or exposed bare conductors shall be replaced. Joining lengths of work and electrode cables shall be done by the use of connecting means specifically intended for the purpose. The connecting means shall have insulation adequate for the service conditions.  [55 FR 13709, Apr. 11, 1990; 61 FR 9227, March 7, 1996; 70 FR 53929, Sept. 13, 2005]  a.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the damaged cable on the #1 Miller Invision 352 MPa MIG welder had been replaced.  Welder #1 had multiple spots on the grounding cable with damage that were covered with black electrical tape which exposed employees to electric shock hazards.  b.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the damaged cable on the #2 Miller Invision 352 MPa MIG welder had been replaced.  Welder #2 had a grounding cable with damage that was covered with black electrical tape which exposed employees to electric shock hazards.  c.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer did not ensure that the damaged cables on the #3 Miller Invision 352 MPa MIG welder had been replaced.  Welder #3 had a grounding cable and a power cable with damage that were covered with black electrical tape which exposed employees to electric shock hazards.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Nov 1, 2021

Penalty

Initial $2,926 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.303(b)(1):Examination. Electric equipment shall be free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Safety of equipment shall be determined using the following considerations:  On or about May 19, 2021, an electrical outlet in the #35 junction box mounted to the east wall of the Main Shop was cracked exposing employees to electric shock.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(ii):Unused openings in cabinets, boxes, and fittings shall be effectively closed.  a.  On or about May 19, 2021, the electrical panel on the east wall of the Front Shop marked Door Shop Panel B was not effectively closed.  The panel was missing a knockout.  b.  On or about May 19, 2021, the junction box on the east wall in the Front Shop was not effectively closed.  The junction box was missing a knockout.  c.  On or about May 19, 2021, the #35 junction box on the east wall of the Main Shop was not effectively closed.  The junction box was missing a knockout.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(2)(i):All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings shall be provided with covers identified for the purpose. If metal covers are used, they shall be grounded. In completed installations, each outlet box shall have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. Covers of outlet boxes having holes through which flexible cord pendants pass shall be provided with bushings designed for the purpose or shall have smooth, well-rounded surfaces on which the cords may bear.  On or about May 19, 2021, a junction box with a light switch mounted on the west wall of the Main Shop did not have a cover.

Issued

Sep 9, 2021

Abate by

Oct 7, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Workplace labeling. Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(7) and (f)(8) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with product identifier and words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof, which provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals, and which, in conjunction with the other information immediately available to employees under the hazard communication program, will provide employees with the specific information regarding the physical and health hazards of the hazardous chemical.   a.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer did not ensure that a plastic spray bottle of cutting fluid was labeled, tagged, or marked to provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals.  Employees were exposed to eye and skin irritation when using a spray bottle of cutting fluid to cool and lubricate a piece of metal being cut.  b.  On or about May 19, 2021, the employer did not ensure that a plastic spray bottle of glass cleaner was labeled, tagged, or marked to provide at least general information regarding the hazards of the chemicals.  Employees were exposed to eye irritation when using a spray bottle of glass cleaner to clean glass.