OSHA Inspection: KLOVER SEPA, INC.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,706 · Current $6,000

Hazardous substances 8111

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) Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022,  a welder was exposed to continuous noise at 111.5% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 90.7 dBA while performing welding, cutting, and grinding on metal.  This exposure was observed over a 449 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 31 minutes not sampled.  This was confirmed with monitoring performed on April 26, 2022.   The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, .   b) Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022, a welder was exposed to continuous noise at 87.9 % of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.0 dBA while performing welding, cutting, and grinding on metal.  This exposure was observed over a 450 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 30 minutes not sampled.  This was confirmed with monitoring performed on April 26, 2022.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about March 9, 2022.   c) Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022, a welder was exposed to continuous noise at 89.4 % of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 89.4 dBA while performing welding, cutting, and grinding on metal.  This exposure was observed over a 446 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 34 minutes not sampled.  This was confirmed with monitoring performed on April 26, 2022.  The employer did not develop and implement a representative monitoring program for those employees exposed over the action level of 85 dBA, on or about March 9, 2022.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022,  a welder was exposed to continuous noise at 111.5% of the exposure level of 90 dBA or an 8 hour time weighted average of 90.7 dBA while performing welding, cutting, and grinding on metal.  This exposure was observed over a 449 minute sampling period.  A zero exposure was assumed for the 31 minutes not sampled.  This was confirmed with monitoring performed on April 26, 2022.   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.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater and has not yet had a baseline audiogram established pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(ii):   a) Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022, various welders and fabricators were exposed to eight hour time average noise exposures ranging from 89.0 DBA to 90.7 dBA, with monitoring that confirmed this on April 26, 2022.  The employer did not ensure mandatory use of hearing protectors for employees who had exposure greater than 85 dB for a time weighted average, and had not yet had baseline audiograms.   Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $5,706 · Current $4,000 Reduced

Hazardous substances 1520Z100

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:  a)  Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022, the employer provided half-face elastomeric respirators for voluntary use to protect against welding fume.  The employer did not implement a written program with the minimum elements to ensure that employees using half-face elastomeric respirators were medically able to do so and that the written program addressed cleaning, storage, and maintenance of the elastomeric respirator.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 before the employer permitted use the elastomeric respirator in the workplace:  a)  Klover -  On or about March 9, 2022, the employer provided half-face elastomeric respirators for voluntary use to protect against welding fume.  The employer did not provide medical evaluations as required.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.

Issued

Aug 15, 2022

Abate by

Sep 9, 2022

Penalty

Initial $4,279 · Current $4,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:  a) Klover Contracting - On or about March 9, 2022, the employer was utilizing several extension cords connected in series to power a 110 Volt PPE vending machine, exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.  Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, date and method of abatement, and states that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.