OSHA Inspection: PS SEASONING & SPICES, INC.

Issued

Oct 28, 2024

Abate by

Nov 26, 2024

Penalty

Initial $6,222 · Current $3,966 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

1910.95(g)(1)  The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.  A continuing, effective hearing conservation program (including the elements of noise monitoring, employee notification, audiometric testing, hearing protection, training, information, and recordkeeping) was not administered for instances in where employees were exposed to noise above a dose of 50% such as, but not limited to:  a) On July 2, 2024, a Bottling line 2 Operator was exposed to noise at 111.7% of the permissible daily dose as measured over 528 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 90.7 dBA. This dose is also equivalent to a 9-hour shift TWA exposure of 89.9 dBA accounting for the period of 12 minutes unmonitored. The adjusted action level for a 9-hour shift is 84.2 dBA. The average sound level measured over the sampling period was 90.1 dBA.  b) On July 2, 2024, a Bottling line 2 Operator was exposed to noise at 117.4% of the permissible daily dose as measured over 529 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.1 dBA. This dose is also equivalent to a 9-hour shift TWA exposure of 90.3 dBA accounting for the period of 11 minutes unmonitored. The adjusted action level for a 9-hour shift is 84.2 dBA. The average sound level measured over the sampling period was 90.4 dBA.  c) On July 2, 2024, a Bottling line 2 Operator was exposed to noise at 131.8% of the permissible daily dose as measured over 531 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.9 dBA. This dose is also equivalent to a 9-hour shift TWA exposure of 91.1 dBA accounting for the period of 9 minutes unmonitored. The adjusted action level for a 9-hour shift is 84.2 dBA. The average sound level measured over the sampling period was 91.2 dBA.  d) On July 2, 2024, a Bottling line 2 Operator was exposed to noise at 113.8% of the permissible daily dose as measured over 532 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 90.9 dBA. This dose is also equivalent to a 9-hour shift TWA exposure of 90.1 dBA accounting for the period of 8 minutes unmonitored. The adjusted action level for a 9-hour shift is 84.2 dBA. The average sound level measured over the sampling period was 90.1 dBA.  Note: The 8-hour TWA sound level of 85 dBA (action level) can be adjusted for work shifts exceeding 8 hours. When making the adjustment, the following formula is used:  Adjusted Action Level (AL) = 90 + 16.61log[50/(12.5(hours))]