OSHA Inspection: W.D. TOWNLEY AND SON LUMBER COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jan 27, 2022

Abate by

Feb 23, 2022

Penalty

Initial $13,052 · Current $6,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(i)(2)(i):The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors were worn by an employee who was required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) to wear personal protective equipment:  The employer did not ensure hearing protection was worn by employees exposed to noise levels that exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 90 dBA, based on a 90 dB threshold:  (a) In the baker sawmill, a flat edger operator was exposed to noise levels at 200.2% of the permissible 8-hour TWA, which is approximately 95.0 dBA.  Sampling was performed for 359 minutes during one shift.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time.    (b) In the edger building, a sawyer was exposed to noise levels at 184.8% the permissible 8-hour TWA, which is approximately 94.4 dBA.  Sampling was performed for 446 minutes during one shift.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time.

Issued

Jan 27, 2022

Abate by

Feb 23, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,594 · Current $3,502 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(c)(1)(i): Toilet facilities were not provided in accordance with TABLE J-1 of this Section:  (a) At the workplace, male employees working in the scragg mill, edger building, and pallet production departments only had access to portable toilets.

Issued

Jan 27, 2022

Abate by

Feb 23, 2022

Penalty

Initial $130,524 · Current $80,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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 equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent:  The employer did not administer a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise levels that exceeded a dose of fifty percent, based on an 80 dB threshold:  (a) In the cooper scragg mill, a chipper operator was exposed to noise at a dose of 344.8%, with an average sound level of 97.0 dBA during a 619-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.           (b) In the cooper scragg mill, a maintenance employee was exposed to noise at a dose of 637.1%, with an average sound level of 101.5 dBA during a 615-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (c) In the cooper scragg mill, a splitter operator was exposed to noise at a dose of 546.1%, with an average sound level of 100.3 dBA during a 620-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (d) In the cooper scragg mill, a flat edger operator was exposed to noise at a dose of 362.7%, with an average sound level of 102.2 dBA during a 318-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.       (e) In the edger building, a sawyer was exposed to noise at a dose of 196.5%, with an average sound level of 95.3 dBA during a 446-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (f) In the edger building, a lumber stacker was exposed to noise at a dose of 259.2%, with an average sound level of 94.8 dBA during a 638-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (g) In pallet production, a lead nailing machine operator was exposed to noise at a dose of 108.3%, with an average sound level of 90.2 dBA during a 501-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (h) In pallet production, a 2" x 4" loader was exposed to noise at a dose of 137.7%, with an average sound level of 91.8 dBA during a 509-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (i) In the baker sawmill, a flat edger operator was exposed to noise at a dose of 202.4%, with an average sound level of 97.1 dBA during a 359-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (j) In the baker sawmill, a laborer was exposed to noise at a dose of 209.2%, with an average sound level of 93.0 dBA during a 661-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (k) In the baker sawmill, a laborer was exposed to noise at a dose of 223.4%, with an average sound level of 93.4 dBA during a 662-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (l) In the baker sawmill, a laborer was exposed to noise at a dose of 217.0%, with an average sound level of 93.2 dBA during a 665-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.   (m) In the baker sawmill, a laborer was exposed to noise at a dose of 113.7%, with an average sound level of 90.4 dBA during a 513-minute sampling period.  Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time during the shift.