OSHA Inspection: ASSA ABLOY

Issued

Aug 24, 2023

Abate by

Nov 27, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,436 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(b)(1):When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized:  a) Welding/Grinding Area: An employee, Grinder/Welder, was exposed to continuous noise at 136.4 % of the permissible exposure level of 90 dBA or an eight-hour time-weighted average of 92.2 dBA. This exposure was observed over a 512 minute sampling period on April 20, 2023. The employer did not implement feasible administrative and/or engineering controls.    ABATEMENT STEPS ARE AS FOLLOW:  STEP 1 - As an interim protective measure and when administrative or engineering controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of table G-16, effective hearing protection shall be provided and used by all exposed employees.  In addition, an effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) shall be maintained.  STEP 2 - A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to noise as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation:  1.  Evaluation of engineering control options;  2.  Selection of optimum control method and completion of design;  3.  Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures;  4.  Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls.  Note: All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person.  Ninety (90) day progress reports are required during the abatement period. (The 90 day requirement can be shortened or lengthened by the area director depending on the specific circumstances.)  STEP 3 - Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.  Abatement certification and documentation required within 10 days after abatement date. The certification shall include a statement that abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that employees and their representatives were informed of this abatement.  Abatement documentation shall include documents demonstrating that abatement is complete, such as evidence of the purchase or repair of equipment, photograph or video evidence of abatement or other written records.

Issued

Aug 24, 2023

Abate by

Sep 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,436 · Current $8,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(e):The employer did not ensure that employees were not using defective or damaged personal protective equipment in the workplace.  a) Facility - On or about March 23, 2023, employees performing welding operations were observed wearing damaged welding sleeves and jackets. The employer did not ensure that employees were not using defective or damaged personal protective equipment.   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 24, 2023

Abate by

Sep 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.132(f)(1)(v): Employee(s) required to use PPE by this section were not trained to know the proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the PPE:   a) Facility - On or about March 23, 2023, employees performing welding operations were observed wearing damaged welding sleeves and jackets. The employer did not provide training on proper care, maintenance and useful life of the personal protective equipment.   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 24, 2023

Abate by

Sep 20, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,261 · Current $4,000 Reduced

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 initial use of the respirator in the workplace:   a) Welding Area - On or about March 23, 2023, the employer provided powered air purifying respirators for voluntary use and did not provide employees with a medical evaluation in accordance with this section.   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.