OSHA Inspection: THE BECKMAN & GAST CO.

Issued

Jun 15, 2023

Abate by

Oct 2, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,250 · Current $3,125 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  On or about March 28th, 2023, the employer The Beckman & Gast Co. did not have in place a hearing conservation program including the elements of noise monitoring, employee notification, audiometric testing, training/information provided, and recordkeeping.  a)	An employee working at the unloading station of the beginning of the line was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average of 88.5 dBA, as measured over a total of 521 minutes of sampling.  b)	A total of two employees out of the four working at the sorting station of the line were exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average of 92.6 dBA as measured over a total of 517 minutes and 92.2 dBA as measured over a total of 523 minutes.  c)	An employee working at the French filling station toward the end of the line was exposed to noise at an 8-hour time weighted average of 99.4 dBA as measured over a total of 484 minutes.

Issued

Jun 15, 2023

Abate by

Jul 12, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,572 · Current $1,786 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0435113021402260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1):The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  On or about March 28th, 2023 the employer has not developed and implemented necessary elements of a hazard communication program for employees  working on the green bean production line exposed to 2-butoxylethanol, tetrasodium, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite in the ChemStation 20004 degreaser and ChemStation 30299 foaming chlorinated cleaner detergent and degreaser for the green bean production line. Associated injuries/illness likely to occur could be skin irritation or burning, eye irritation or damage, and harmful if inhaled or swallowed.

Issued

Jun 15, 2023

Abate by

Jul 12, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0435113021402260

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1):Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:  On or about March 28th, 2023 the employer has not developed and implemented effective information and training of the hazardous chemicals for employees  working on the green bean production line exposed to 2-butoxylethanol, tetrasodium, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and sodium hypochlorite in the ChemStation 20004 degreaser and ChemStation 30299 foaming chlorinated cleaner detergent and degreaser for the green bean production line. Information and trainings should cover the written hazard communication program including but not limited to health hazards associated with the chemicals,  in this scenario specific injuries/illnesses that could occur include: skin irritation or burning, eye irritation or damage, and harmful if inhaled or swallowed employees need to be aware of proper measures to protect themselves from harmful exposures.