OSHA Inspection: WALDEN INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $1986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.28(b)(6): Dangerous equipment. The employer must ensure:  29 CFR  1910.28(b)(6)(i): (i) Each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, in the production area near the weighing station, employees were exposed to the hazard of falling into or onto equipment with continuously moving unguarded chains and sprockets through a floor opening approximately 6'x6'. The guardrail system present did not meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.29(b).

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b): Guardrail systems. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements:  29 CFR  1910.29(b)(1): The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface.  The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm), provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria of paragraph (b) of this section (see Figure D-11).   a. On or about March 25, 2026, in the production area near the weighing station, the guardrail that was meant to protect employees from falling into or onto equipment with continuously moving unguarded chains and sprockets had a top rail that was 38 inches from the floor level.l.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b): Guardrail systems. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements:  29 CFR  1910.29(b)(2)(i): Midrails are installed at a height midway between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking-working surface;   a. On or about March 25, 2026, in the production area near the weighing station, the guardrail that was meant to protect employees from falling into or onto equipment with continuously moving unguarded chains and sprockets had a top rail that was 38 inches from the floor level and a midrail that was 16 inches from floor level. Additionally, on the other side of the guardrail system, no midrail was present.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.29(b): Guardrail systems. The employer must ensure guardrail systems meet the following requirements:  29 CFR  1910.29(b)(3): Guardrail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail;   a. On or about March 25, 2026, in the production area near the weighing station, the guardrail that was meant to protect employees from falling into or onto equipment with continuously moving unguarded chains and sprockets was made of rebar and a metal rod that was not designed for this purpose or engineered for use as a guardrail.  The materials exhibited visible deflection and bending along the top rail.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $1986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(b)(1): When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.  a. The employer did not utilize engineering and/or administrative controls for employees working in the weight system area. A Supervisor employee was exposed to continuous noise at 165.8% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 100%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 90 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.6 dBA during the 350-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 130 minutes not sampled.  b. The employer did not utilize engineering and/or administrative controls for employees working in the block machine area. A Machine Operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 156.2% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 100%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 90 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.2 dBA during the 440-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $1986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1): The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.   a. The employer did not develop and implement a hearing conservation program for employees working in the weight system area . A Supervisor employee was exposed to continuous noise at 171.6% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.9 dBA during the 350-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 130 minutes not sampled.  b. The employer did not develop and implement a hearing conservation program for employees working in the block machine area . A machine operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 165.4% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.6 dBA during the 440-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.  c. The employer did not develop and implement a hearing conservation program for employees working in the banding/mixer areas . A Banding employee was exposed to continuous noise at 147.2% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.7 dBA during the 471-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 9 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(1): When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.   a. The employer did not develop and implement a noise monitoring program for employees working in the weight system area . A Supervisor employee was exposed to continuous noise at 171.6% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.9 dBA during the 350-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 130 minutes not sampled.  b. The employer did not develop and implement a noise monitoring program for employees working in the block machine area . A machine operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 165.4% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.6 dBA during the 440-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.  c. The employer did not develop and implement a noise monitoring program for employees working in the banding/mixer areas . A Banding employee was exposed to continuous noise at 147.2% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.7 dBA during the 471-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 9 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  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. The employer did not develop and implement an audiometric testing program for employees working in the weight system area . A Supervisor employee was exposed to continuous noise at 171.6% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.9 dBA during the 350-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 130 minutes not sampled.  b. The employer did not develop and implement an audiometric testing program for employees working in the block machine area . A machine operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 165.4% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.6 dBA during the 440-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.  c. The employer did not develop and implement an audiometric testing program for employees working in the banding/mixer areas . A Banding employee was exposed to continuous noise at 147.2% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.7 dBA during the 471-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 9 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer shall 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 this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.   a. The employer did not develop and implement a noise training program for employees working in the weight system area . A Supervisor employee was exposed to continuous noise at 171.6% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.9 dBA during the 350-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 130 minutes not sampled.  b. The employer did not develop and implement a noise training program for employees working in the block machine area . A machine operator employee was exposed to continuous noise at 165.4% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 93.6 dBA during the 440-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 40 minutes not sampled.  c. The employer did not develop and implement a noise training program for employees working in the banding/mixer areas . A Banding employee was exposed to continuous noise at 147.2% on March 31, 2026, which exceeded the action limit (AL) of 50%, an 8-hour TWA (time weighted average) sound level of 85 dBA. The employee's 8-hour TWA sound level was approximately 92.7 dBA during the 471-minute sampling period. Time weighted average includes a zero increment for the 9 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $2838 · Current $1419 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement a respiratory protection program for employees who were required to wear half face tight-fitting respirators while cleaning out the mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1): General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not provide a medical evaluation for employees who were required to wear half face tight-fitting respirators while cleaning out the mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(f)(2): The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not provide a fit test for employees who were required to wear half face tight-fitting respirators while cleaning out the mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k): Training and information. This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary. This paragraph also requires the employer to provide the basic information on respirators in Appendix D of this section to employees who wear respirators when not required by this section or by the employer to do so.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not provide a respiratory protection training for employees who were required to wear half face tight-fitting respirators while cleaning out the mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $3972 · Current $1986 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(1): The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces.  NOTE: Proper application of the decision flow chart in Appendix A to section 1910.146 would facilitate compliance with this requirement.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not evaluate the workplace for potential permit required confined spaces, which lead to a failure to identify the Besser 100 Mixer as a permit required confined space.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(4): If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement a permit required confined space program for employees who were required to enter the Besser 100 Mixer for cleaning purposes.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(2): If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces.  NOTE: A sign reading DANGER -- PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer failed to post clearly visible danger signs at the Besser 100 Mixer, a permit?required confined space, to inform employees of its location and hazards.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(g)(1): The employer shall provide training so that all employees whose work is regulated by this section acquire the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this section.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement a permit required confined space training program for employees who were required to enter the Besser 100 Mixer for cleaning purposes.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $2838 · Current $1419 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(1): Energy control program. The employer shall establish a program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement an energy control program for employees who performed servicing and maintenance tasks on equipment such as, but not limited to, the Besser 100 Mixer, consisting of energy control procedures, affected and authorized employee training, and periodic inspections.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $2270 · Current $1135 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(l)(1)(i): The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not ensure that each employee who operated a forklift had received the required training and evaluation.  An employee utilized a Toyota Forklift to load semis with blocks on a daily basis.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $2838 · Current $1419 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(f)(3): Sprockets and chains. All sprocket wheels and chains shall be enclosed unless they are more than seven (7) feet above the floor or platform. Where the drive extends over other machine or working areas, protection against falling shall be provided. This subparagraph does not apply to manually operated sprockets.  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not guard the in-going nip points on the chain and sprocket located on the Heltzel 6-10000 Weight System, which exposed employees walking and working at the control panel and sweeping the floor in the immediate area.  b. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not guard the in-going nip points on the chain and sprocket located on the conveyor of the Besser 100 Mixer, which exposed employees walking and working at the control panel and sweeping the floor in the immediate area.

Issued

2026-06-03

Penalty

Initial $2838 · Current $1419 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(1): Exposure assessment-(1) General. The employer shall assess the exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3) of this section.  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not assess the exposure of employees in the workplace who had the potential to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica while performing tasks such as, but not limited, to working in the production area of the block plant and cleaning out the concrete mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(2)(i): Written exposure control plan. (i) The employer shall establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements:   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement an exposure control plan for employees in the workplace who had the potential to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica while performing tasks such as, but not limited, to cleaning out the concrete mixer.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(h)(1): Housekeeping. (1) The employer shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer permitted employees working in the block plant to sweep up the concrete dust with a dry broom.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(i)(1)(i): Medical surveillance-(1) General. (i) The employer shall make medical surveillance available at no cost to the employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not provide medical surveillance for employees who were required to clean the concrete dust out of the Besser 100 Mixer. Employees who performed this task were exposed to 39.5 micrograms/meter cubed of respirable crystalline silica as an 8 hour time weight average, which exceeded the action level of 25 micrograms/meter cubed.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $2838 · Current $1419 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:  a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program for hazardous chemicals in the workplace such as, but not limited to, crystalline silica.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(h)(1): Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication training program for employees exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace such as, but not limited to, crystalline silica.

Issued

2026-06-03

Abate by

2026-07-08

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1200(g)(1): Chemical manufacturers and importers shall obtain or develop a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers shall have a safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use.   a. On or about March 25, 2026, the employer did not maintain safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals in the workplace such as, but not limited to, crystalline silica.