OSHA Inspection: QUALITY PALLET RECYCLING LLC

Issued

Mar 10, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,256 · Current $2,979 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:  On or about December 18, 2024, employees performed pallet dismantling and constructing activities 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, audiometric testing to provide surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and hearing conservation training.  (a) On December 18, 2024, an employee operating the pallet dismantler was exposed to noise at 127.7% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.3 dBA, as measured over 480 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.7 dBA.  (b) On December 18, 2024, an employee working at the pallet repair station was exposed to noise at 127.1% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.2 dBA, as measured over 480 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.7 dBA.

Issued

Mar 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(g)(1):The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  On or about December 18, 2024, employees performed pallet dismantling and constructing activities 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, audiometric testing to provide surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and hearing conservation training.  (a) On December 18, 2024, the employer did not provide audiometric testing for employees conducting pallet repair, dismantling, and manufacturing, were exposed to noise at 127.7% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.3 dBA, as measured over 480 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.7 dBA.  (b) On December 18, 2024, an employee working at the pallet repair station was exposed to noise at 127.1% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.2 dBA, as measured over 480 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.7 dBA.

Issued

Mar 10, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

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 December 18, 2024, employees performed pallet dismantling and constructing activities 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, audiometric testing to provide surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and hearing conservation training.  (a) On December 18, 2024, the employer did not provide training for employees conducting pallet repair, dismantling and manufacturing, were exposed to noise at 127.7% of the permissible daily dose, or an average sound level of 93.3 dBA, as measured over 480 minutes of sampling. This dose is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA exposure of 91.7 dBA.