OSHA Inspection: FLEX-HOSE COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 22, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $4,840 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

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:  a.) Paint Booth, Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 3/20/2024: A Painter was exposed to continuous noise at a level of 103.3% of the dose of the OSHA action level. The equivalent dBA for the 103.3% dose is approximately 90.2 dBA calculated as the 8-hour time weighted sound pressure level. The sampling was conducted on 3/20/2024 for 470 minutes. The employee assigned to painting was not included in the employer's hearing conservation program.  Abatement methodology: Including painters in an effective hearing conservation program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) shall be maintained. An effective hearing conservation program shall include, at a minimum:  (1) A baseline audiogram for all employees exposed to noise levels equal to or in excess of the standard. (2) Annual audiograms for each overexposed employee. (3) Analysis of audiogram results with retesting and/or referral to an otolaryngologist or qualified physician when a significant threshold shift occurs. A significant shift will be considered to be equal to or greater than an average of 30 dba over the 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz frequencies. (4) Where insert ear plugs or custom-molded devices are utilized, individual employee fitting shall be conducted by a trained person, and employees shall be instructed in the care and use of the devices.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 28, 2024

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.) Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 3/20/2024; Noise levels from the manufacturing process in the Prep Area exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, exposure was measured at 108.3% dose and an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90.6 decibels. The employer did not develop a monitoring program to determine employee noise exposure.  b.) Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 3/20/2024; Noise levels from the manufacturing process in the Paint Area exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, exposure was measured at 103.3% dose and an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90.2 decibels. The employer did not develop a monitoring program to determine employee noise exposure.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Jul 22, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(2):The training program was not repeated annually for each employee included in the hearing conservation program:  a.) Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 3/20/2024; Noise levels from the manufacturing process in the Prep Area exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, exposure was measured at 108.3% dose and an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90.6 decibels. The employer only completed training during the new hire process, training was not repeated annually.  b.) Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 3/20/2024; Noise levels from the manufacturing process in the Paint Area exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, exposure was measured at 103.3% dose and an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90.2 decibels. The employer only completed training during the new hire process, training was not repeated annually.  Abatement certification is required.

Issued

Jun 3, 2024

Abate by

Jun 28, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,839 · Current $3,629 Reduced

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:  a.)  Flex-Hose Company, Inc., 4560 Buckley Road, Liverpool, NY 13088, on or about 2/20/2024; Employees were exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, welding fumes, compressed helium, compressed oxygen, and compressed argon, and were not provided effective information and training at the time of their initial assignment.  Abatement certification is required.