OSHA Inspection: TECHNIVISION, INC. DBA OMNIVISION

Issued

Jun 25, 1993

Abate by

Aug 12, 1993

Penalty

Initial $750

General-duty citation text

The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA;
the methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases;
and the employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an
effective
abatement method.
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause
death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were
exposed to:
Contracting illnesses associated with reduced indoor air
quality, i.e. headache, eye irritation and upper respiratory
tract irritation.
One method of abatement would be to supply fresh air into the
building in quantities recommended by the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
(ASHRAE).  The current ASHRAE 62-1989 recommended amount of
fresh air to be introduced into an office environment is 20
cubic feet per minute, per person.
Additionally the employer needs to:  (1) Initiate a regularly
scheduled program to change air conditioner filters and to
maintain control of fungi in the air conditioner condensate
drains and drip pans.  (2)  Repair window leaks which have
resulted in wetting of the carpet.  Wet carpet is conducive
to mildew growth and to reduced air quality in the workplace.
The hazard of reduced indoor air quality can occur due to the
buildup of airborne contaminates, i.e.  microorganisms,
particulates or vapors due to inadequate infiltration of fresh
outside air into the workplace.