OSHA Inspection: BALLCO MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jun 29, 2026

Abate by

Oct 1, 2026

Penalty

Initial $11,585 · Current $7,862 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): A continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) was not instituted when employee noise exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) sound level of 85 dBA:  On April 16, 2026, the employer did not implement a continuing, effective hearing conservation program which includes noise monitoring, employee notification, audiometric testing, training, information, and recordkeeping for all employees exposed to decibel levels in excess of the OSHA Action Limit of 85(dBA)  a) An employee in the production area operating the Doosen DNM-3 and Doosen DNM-4 machines was exposed to continuous noise levels at 114.2% of the allowable 8-hour, time-weighted average sound level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 114.2%is approximately 91.0 dBA. The sampling was performed for 467 minutes during one 8-hour shift on April 16, 2026. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time.  b) An employee in the production area operating the MA 500-2 and MC 600-3 machines was exposed to continuous noise levels at 104.3% of the allowable 8-hour, time-weighted average sound level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 104.3% is approximately 90.3 dBA. The sampling was performed for 457 minutes during one 8-hour shift on April 16, 2026. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time.  c) An employee in the production area operating the MX50-5 machine was exposed to continuous noise levels at 97.7% of the allowable 8-hour, time-weighted average sound level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 97.7% is approximately 89.8 dBA. The sampling was performed for 477 minutes during one 8-hour shift on April 16, 2026. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time.  d) An employee in the production area operating the MX50-3 machine was exposed to continuous noise levels at 73.9% of the allowable 8-hour, time-weighted average sound level for noise (85 dBA). The equivalent dBA level of 73.9% is approximately 87.8 dBA. The sampling was performed for 468 minutes during one 8-hour shift on April 16, 2026. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled period of time.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 29, 2026

Abate by

Jul 24, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(3)(i): The employer did not perform repeat employee exposure monitoring when additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level:  a) On April 16, 2026, the employer had not repeated monitoring for employees conducting operations on additional noise from the new Doosen DNM-3 and Doosen DNM-4 CNCs installed in the production area. Employees were exposed to noise at 87.4 to 91.0 decibels at an 8-hour time-weighted average.   In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 29, 2026

Abate by

Jul 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $8,276 · Current $4,138 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4): Grinding machinery was not used with work rest(s) to support offhand grinding work and/or was not adjusted closely to the wheel with a maximum opening of one eighth inch:  a) On April 16, 2026, the employer did not ensure that a work rest was installed on both sides of the grinder to support grinding work on abrasive wheel equipment, such as the Jet 8" bench grinder, Model JBG-8A.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.

Issued

Jun 29, 2026

Abate by

Jul 10, 2026

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.215(b)(9): The distance between the abrasive wheel periphery(s) and the adjustable tongue or the end of the safety guard peripheral member at the top exceeded one fourth inch:  a)On  April 16, 2026, the employer did not ensure that the Jet 8" bench grinder, Model JBG-8A, was equipped with an adjustable tongue guard for the abrasive wheel.  In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement, or other written records.