OSHA Inspection: D & H INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Jul 13, 2023

Abate by

Aug 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $8,539 · Current $5,000 Reduced

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 April 21, 2023 and days prior, employees performed work on the shop floor while being exposed to noise levels that equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or an equivalent dose of fifty percent, without a continuing and effective hearing conservation program in place. The employer failed to implement the hearing conservation program to include monitoring to identify employees for inclusion into the  program and hearing conservation training.  a) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to operate press 2000 was exposed to a noise dose of 75.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 88 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 446 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 34 minutes.  b) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to work at the manual welding station was exposed to a noise dose of 72.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 87.6 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of  438 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 42 minutes.

Issued

Jul 13, 2023

Abate by

Aug 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  On or about April 21, 2023, and days prior, employees performed work on the shop floor while being exposed to noise levels that equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or an equivalent dose of fifty percent, without a continuing and effective hearing conservation program in place with the element of employee monitoring for inclusion.  a) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to operate press 2000 was exposed to a noise dose of 75.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 88 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 446 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 34 minutes.  b) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to work at the manual welding station was exposed to a noise dose of 72.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 87.6 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of  438 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 42 minutes.

Issued

Jul 13, 2023

Abate by

Aug 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:   On or about April 21, 2023, and days prior, employees performed work on the shop floor while being exposed to noise levels that equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (dBA), or an equivalent dose of fifty percent, without a continuing and effective hearing conservation program that included training (both annual and initial) to inform employees about hearing protectors, audiometric testing and the effects of noise on hearing.  a) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to operate press 2000 was exposed to a noise dose of 75.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 88 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of 446 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 34 minutes.  b) On April 21, 2023, an employee assigned to work at the manual welding station was exposed to a noise dose of 72.8.  This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour time weighted average of 87.6 decibels measured on the A-scale.  Sampling accounted for the period of  438 minutes, and zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 42 minutes.

Issued

Jul 13, 2023

Abate by

Aug 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,246 · Current $6,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(a)(2)(xv): Cutting or welding was permitted not only in areas that were or had been made fire safe.   a) On or about April 13, 2023, employees were required to operate a plasma cutter in the B-deck weld area that was not secure of fire hazards.  The plasma cutting area did not have guards in place to confine the heat, sparks, and slag produced by the welding operation nor was the plasma cutting area more than 35 feet away from combustible materials such as but not limited to filters used in air exchangers.   Operating a plasma cutter in an area that was not secure of fire hazards exposing employees to fire hazards.

Issued

Jul 13, 2023

Abate by

Aug 29, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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.  a) On or about April 13, 2023, the employer did not develop and maintain a written hazard communication program so that the employees were informed of the hazards associated with the chemicals they were exposed to while conducting activities such as but not limited to, welding operations, operating press machines, and handling and mixing chemicals.