OSHA Inspection: REX HEAT TREAT, INC.

Issued

Sep 27, 2022

Abate by

Nov 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $6,164 · Current $3,600 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1):   A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 dBA:  a)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 - The employer did not institute a continuing effective hearing conservation program when employee noise exposures exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.  An employee designated as a Production Manager was exposed to noise at a level of 67.6% of the allowable limit during a 261 minute sampling period on September 14, 2022.   This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 87.2 dBA for the dose and time of employee exposure and is 1.35 times in excess of the 85 dBA action level (50%) at which the hearing conservation program is required.  b)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 -  An employee designated as a Furnace Operator (Building #1) was exposed to noise at a level of 89.4% of the allowable limit during a 450 minute sampling period on September 14, 2022.   This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 89.2 dBA for the dose and time of employee exposure and is 1.79 times in excess of the 85 dBA action level (50%) at which the hearing conservation program is required.  c)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 -  An employee designated as a Shot Blaster was exposed to noise at a level of 90.2% of the allowable limit during a 454 minute sampling period on September 14, 2022.   This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 89.3 dBA for the dose and time of employee exposure and is 1.80 times in excess of the 85 dBA action level (50%) at which the hearing conservation program is required.  d)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 -  An employee designated as a Furnace Operator (Building #2) was exposed to noise at a level of 108.8% of the allowable limit during a 457 minute sampling period on September 14, 2022.   This exposure is equivalent to a sound level of 90.6 dBA for the dose and time of employee exposure and is 2.17 times in excess of the 85 dBA action level (50%) at which the hearing conservation program is required.

Issued

Sep 27, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 - The employer did not conduct initial noise monitoring when information indicated that employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dba.

Issued

Sep 27, 2022

Abate by

Nov 15, 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)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 - The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program when employee noise exposures exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.   See descriptions of employee noise exposures in Citation 1, Item 1a, Instances a - d.

Issued

Sep 27, 2022

Abate by

Nov 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k):   a)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 - The employer did not provide noise related training to employees when employee noise exposures exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 dBA.   See descriptions of employee noise exposures in Citation 1, Item 1a, Instances a - d.   ABATEMENT NOTE:    The employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the following:  i)  The effects of noise on hearing;  ii)  The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and  iii)  The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.

Issued

Sep 27, 2022

Abate by

Nov 15, 2022

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(l)(1): The employer did not make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of 29 CFR 1910.95 and did not post a copy in the workplace:   a)  In the Facility, on or about September 14, 2022 - The employer did not post a copy of 29 CFR 1910.95, the Occupational Noise Standard in the workplace.