OSHA Inspection: SIMMONS MANUFACTURING COMPANY

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2975.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:    Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the manufacturing areas such as the brass shop, , assembly area, grey iron shop, employees were exposed to noise levels between 73-98 dBA. A noise monitoring program was not implemented, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that hearing protectors are worn by an employee who is required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) to wear personal protective equipment:  a) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the automatic valve machine #156, was exposed to noise level of 96 dBA, which exceeded the time-weighted average of 90 dBA. Hearing protection was not required, on or about 1/21/16.  b) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the auto indexing valve machine #33, was exposed to noise level of 94 dBA, which exceeded the time-weighted average of 90. Hearing protection was not required, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4900.00 · Current $2500.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

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:    a) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the automatic valve machine #156, was exposed to noise level of 96 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 413 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    b) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - An employee operating a screw machine was exposed to noise level of 94 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 384 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    c) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the auto indexing valve machine #33, was exposed to noise level of 94 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 421 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    d) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - An employee operating a screw machine was exposed to noise level of 89 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 462 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    e) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the automatic valve machine was exposed to noise level of 89.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 421 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    f) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the grey iron shop, an employee operating the machine #95 was exposed to noise level of 88.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 468 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.    g) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the grey iron shop, an employee operating the handle machine, was exposed to noise level of 88.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 457 minutes which represents the employee's 8-hour work day. An audiometric testing program was not established, on or about 2/3/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 8110

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:  a) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the automatic valve machine #156, was exposed to noise level of 96 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  b) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - An employee operating a screw machine was exposed to noise level of 94 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  c) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the auto indexing valve machine #33, was exposed to noise level of 94 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  d) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - An employee operating a screw machine was exposed to noise level of 89 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  e) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the brass shop, an employee operating the automatic valve machine was exposed to noise level of 89.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  f) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the grey iron shop, an employee operating the machine #95 was exposed to noise level of 88.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.  g) Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the grey iron shop, an employee operating the handle machine, was exposed to noise level of 88.4 dBA, which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. Noise training as required by the standard had not been conducted, on or about 2/3/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(h)(12): Electrostatic spary area(s) were not provided with automatic sprinkler protection or other approved automatic extinguishing equipment    Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the powder coating department, the spray booths did not have an automatic sprinkler system or any other fire suppression system, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.107(l)(4)(i): All areas were not kept free of the accumulation of powder coating dusts, particularly such horizontal surfaces as ledges, beams, pipes, hoods, booths, and floors.  Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the powder coating department, powder coating dust was accumulated on the floor of the spray booth, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1785.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(ii): The employer did not provide a respirator that was appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the contaminant:     Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the powder coating department, employees powder coating were required to use a 3M half mask, tight fitting respirator with an organic vapor cartridge which did not protect employees from the powder coating, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1): The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace: Note:  The employer may discontinue an employee's medical evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.  Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the powder coating department, employees spray painting were required to use a 3M half mask, tight fitting respirator. A medical evaluation had not been performed, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):  Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the powder coating department, employees spray painting were required to use a 3M half mask, tight fitting respirator. Training as required by the respiratory protection standard was not conducted, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1785.00 · Current $1500.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(b): Compressed air used for cleaning purposes was not reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. when dead end:    Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the manufacturing areas such as the brass shop, assembly area, grey iron shop, employees were using compressed air to remove metal shavings from the parts and machines. The air pressure measured 60 p.s.i. at dead end, on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv): Employees had not been provided with GHS 2012 training including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system to be used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information, and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:    Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the manufacturing areas, employees handle hazardous materials such as but not limited to powder coating, brass, copper and oil. Training under the globally harmonized system had not been conducted on or about 1/21/16.

Issued

2016-03-08 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-04-01 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(i): Respirator users were not provided with the information contained in Appendix D to 29 CFR 1910.134 when the employer determined that any voluntary respirator use was permissible:  Simmons Manufacturing Company, McDonough, GA - In the manufacturing areas, employees were provided and allowed to voluntary use disposable dust masks. The information in appendix D of the respiratory protection standard was not provided, on or about 1/21/16.