OSHA Inspection: PRECISION LUMBER CO.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3856.00 · Current $433.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

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.  On or about October 12, 2019, the employer did not administer a hearing conservation program to protect an employee working as a Chain Runner at the south end of the building.  The employee was exposed to noise at 61.66% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 399 minutes during one shift.  61.66% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 86.5 dBA.    b.  On or about October 12, 2019, the employer did not administer a hearing conservation program to protect an employee operating the Edger on the east side of the building.   The employee was exposed to noise at 185.1% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 357 minutes during one shift.  185.1% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 94.5 dBA.    c.  On or about October 12, 2019, the employer did not administer a hearing conservation program to protect an employee working at the grading station in the area of the Brewco B-1600 Resaw.  The employee was exposed to noise at 82.57% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 388 minutes during one shift. 82.57% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 88.6 dBA.      All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (n) must be covered in a hearing conservation program. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following:    1)  Noise level monitoring  2)  Audiometric testing  3)  Wearing of hearing protection  4)  Training program  5)  Providing copies of standard to employees  6)  Recordkeeping

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 8110

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 (TWA) of 85 decibels.    a.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not establish an audiometric testing program when an employee was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA.  The employee was exposed to noise at 61.66% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 399 minutes during one shift.  61.66% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 86.5 dBA.    b.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not establish an audiometric testing program when an employee was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA.  The employee was exposed to noise at 185.1% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 357 minutes during one shift.  185.1% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 94.5 dBA.    c.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not establish an audiometric testing program when an employee was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA.  The employee was exposed to noise at 82.57% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 388 minutes during one shift. 82.57% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 88.6 dBA.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-07-20 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 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.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not train a Chain Runner who was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA in accordance with the requirements of this section and the employer did not institute a training program.  The employee was exposed to noise at 61.66% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 399 minutes during one shift.  61.66% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 86.5 dBA.    b.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not train an Edger Operator who was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA in accordance with the requirements of this section and the employer did not institute a training program.  The employee was exposed to noise at 185.1% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 357 minutes during one shift.  185.1% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 94.5 dBA.    c.  On or about December 12, 2019, the employer did not train a Hardwood Lumber Inspector who was exposed to noise exceeding 85 dBA as an 8-hour TWA in accordance with the requirements of this section and the employer did not institute a training program.  The employee was exposed to noise at 82.57% (noise dose) of the allowable noise dose of 50% during a sample period of 388 minutes during one shift. 82.57% is equivalent to an 8-hour TWA sound level of 88.6 dBA.      All training topics required by this section must be included in a training program. Key elements include, but are not limited to the following:    1)  The effects of noise on hearing  2)  The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, and disadvantages,   3)  The attenuations of various types of hearing protectors  4)  Instruction on selection, fitting, use and care of hearing protectors  5)  The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5398.00 · Current $2699.00 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.    On or about October 10, 2019, the employer did not establish all of the required elements of an energy control program.  for those employees that were engaged in servicing and maintenance tasks on equipment including the Helle Scragg Saw, Brewco Wolf Resaw, Brewco B-1600 (Red) Resaw, WoodMizer LT300 Saw, Crosscut Solutions Upcut Saw, Morbark Chipper, WoodMizer Edger, and numerous conveyors and other equipment.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-07-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures shall be developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees are engaged in the activities covered by this section.     On or about October 10, 2019, the employer did not develop, document, and utilize equipment specific energy control procedures for employees engaged in servicing and maintenance tasks on equipment, including the Helle Scragg Saw, Brewco Wolf Resaw, Brewco B-1600 (Red) Resaw, WoodMizer Saw, Crosscut Solutions Upcut Saw, Morbark Chipper, Edger, and numerous conveyors and other equipment.    Note: Exception: The employer need not document the required procedure for a particular machine or equipment, when all of the following elements exist: (1) The machine or equipment has no potential for stored or residual energy or reaccumulation of stored energy after shut down which could endanger employees; (2) the machine or equipment has a single energy source which can be readily identified and isolated; (3) the isolation and locking out of that energy source will completely deenergize and deactivate the machine or equipment; (4) the machine or equipment is isolated from that energy source and locked out during servicing or maintenance; (5) a single lockout device will achieve a locker-out condition; (6) the lockout device is under the exclusive control of the authorized employee performing the servicing or maintenance; (7) the servicing or maintenance does not create hazards for other employees; and (8) the employer, in utilizing this exception, has had no accidents involving the unexpected activation or reenergization of the machine or equipment during servicing or maintenance.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-03-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3856.00 · Current $1928.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(c)(4)(i): Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by nonrotating caps or safety sleeves.    On or about October 10, 2019, the employer did not guard the projecting shaft end of the WoodMizer Edger Slab Conveyor.  The shaft end projected approximately 3.5 inches and was approximately 1 inch in diameter.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-03-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3084.00 · Current $1542.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(5)(i): (i)  Construction.  Stairways shall be constructed in accordance with 29 CFR part 1910, subpart D.     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 October 10, 2019 , employees were not protected from falling into dangerous equipment while using the stairs to access the Helle Scragg Saw for maintenance.  The stairs did not have a guardrail system or a travel restraint system to prevent employees from falling into the exposed barn sweep.    b.  On or about October 10, 2019, employees were not protected from falling into dangerous equipment while using the stairs to access the Helle Scragg Saw operator's booth.  The stairs did not have a guardrail system or a travel restraint system to prevent employees from falling into the exposed barn sweep.    29 CFR 1910.28(b)(11)(ii): (ii) Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers is equipped with stair rail systems and handrails as follows: (see TABLE D-2)    a.  On or about October 10, 2019, the stairs with five treads and five risers used by employees to access the Helle Scragg Saw were not equipped with a stair rail system.     b.  On or about October 10, 2019, the stairs with nine treads and nine risers used by the Sawyer to access the Helle Scragg Saw operator's booth were not equipped with a stair rail system.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-03-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $5398.00 · Current $2699.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(c)(18)(i): Standards. Construction, operation, and maintenance of conveyors shall be in accordance with American National Standard B20.1-1957, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6: Section 602 Pulleys, Sprockets, Sheaves, Drums, Blocks:    a. On or about October 10, 2019, employees working around the south end of the Edger board return conveyor were exposed to caught-in hazards from the unguarded tail pulley.      b. On or about October 10, 2019, employees working around the south end of the WoodMizer LT300 conveyor were exposed to caught-in hazards from the unguarded tail pulley.     c.  On or about October 10, 2019, employees working in the southwest corner of the building were exposed to caught in hazards from the unguarded chain and sprocket driving the south Green Lumber Chain Line.    d.  On or about October 10, 2019, employees working in the southeast corner of the building were exposed to caught in hazards from the unguarded chain and sprocket driving the north Green Lumber Chain Line.    e.  On or about October 10, 2019, employees working in the areas around the barn sweep drives located inside the sawmill were exposed to ingoing nip points and caught-in hazards from the unguarded chain and sprocket driving the barn sweeps.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2020-03-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3856.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.265(e)(1)(v): Barriers and warning signs. A barrier shall be provided to prevent employees from entering the space necessary for travel of the carriage, with headblocks fully receded, for the full length and extreme ends of carriage runways. Warning signs shall be posted at possible entry points to this area.    On or about October 10, 2019, the employer did not provide barriers and warning signs at the entry point to the carriage runway area.

Issued

2020-02-21 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $433.00 · Current $433.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(2): The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.  On or about October 10, 2019, the employer could not verify that a workplace hazard assessment has been performed.  The employer had assessed the workplace and determined that steel toed shoes, hearing protection, and eye protection are necessary for the safety of employees, but could not provide a signed, written certification of the assessment.