OSHA Inspection: INDUSTRIAL METAL FABRICATION, INC.

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $9,680 · Current $5,808 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 1910.95(c) through (n) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels or the adjusted TWA sound level in dBA for an extended work shift:  At the welding area, employees were exposed to noise hazards. An effective hearing conservation program which included noise monitoring, audiometric testing of employees and training of employees as detailed in the standard was not instituted by the employer.    Note: The 8-hour TWA sound level of 85 dBA that triggers the requirement for a hearing conservation program (HCP) can be adjusted for work shifts less than or greater than 8 hours. When making the adjustment, the following formula is used: AL = 90 + 16.61 log [50/10 (hours)].  Affected employees were exposed to continuous noise levels over a 10-hour work shift.  Therefore, the TWA sound level that triggers the requirement for a HCP is adjusted or reduced for the affected employees to 83.4 dBA.  1) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #1  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  88.4 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA).   2) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #2  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  of 86.9 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA).   3) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #3  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  of 88.8 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA). 4) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #4  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  of 93.1 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA). 5) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #5  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  of 86.7 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA). 6) On or about April 2, 2024, employee #6  was engaged in welding activities, was exposed to continuous noise levels  of 86.4 dBA of the allowable 10-hour time-weighted average sound level (83.4 dBA).

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,453 · Current $3,872 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.252(b)(2)(i)(A):Helmets or hand shields were not used during all arc welding or arc cutting operations:  At the South side of the welding area, employee engaged in welding activities is exposed to infrared and ultraviolet rays emitted by the welding arc in that did not utilized a welding helmet.

Issued

May 10, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,113 · Current $2,468 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.254(d)(9)(iii): Cables with damaged insulation or exposed bare conductors were not replace:  At the North side of the welding area, employee engaged in welding activities is exposed to shock hazards in that ground cable was damaged.

Issued

May 10, 2024

Abate by

Jun 6, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.107(b)(9):A clear space of not less than 3 feet on all sides was not kept free from storage or combustible construction:  At the spray painting area, the North side of the paint booth does not have a clear space of 3 feet. Storage material are kept right next to it, and is not readily accessible for employees to clean.