OSHA Inspection: CHM INDUSTRIES

Issued

2024-11-21 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-01-14 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $11524.00 · Current $6914.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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 August 9, 2024, during production activities, employees were exposed to noise levels without the administration of a continuing, effective hearing conservation program in the following instances (a-i):   a)  At Production line #23, press brake area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 87 decibels, equivalent to 136% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 496 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 0-minute non-sampled period.  b) At Production line #22, press brake area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 87 decibels, equivalent to 136% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 488 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 0-minute non-sampled period.  c) Between Production lines #7 and #8, long seamer area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 91 decibels, equivalent to 228% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 483 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 0-minute non-sampled period.  d) At Production line #30, arm shop area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 90 decibels, equivalent to 204% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 482 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 0-minute non-sampled period.  e) At Production line #19, welding area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 89 decibels, equivalent to 181% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 477 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 3-minute non-sampled period.  f) Between Production lines #5 and #6, long seamer area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 90 decibels, equivalent to 188% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 464 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 16-minute non-sampled period.  g) Between Production lines #4 and 5, welding area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 91 decibels, equivalent to 241% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 469 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 11-minute non-sampled period.  h) At Production lines #16, welding area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 90 decibels, equivalent to 194% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 447 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 33-minute non-sampled period.  i) At Production lines #33, welding area, an employee was exposed to continuous sound levels of 88 decibels, equivalent to 154% of the allowed 85% dose for an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure was derived from a sample collected over 402 minutes, and zero-valve exposure was assumed from a 78-minute non-sampled period.