OSHA Inspection: CONTRACT SERVICES COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not furnish a place of employment which was free from
recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical harm to employees in that the employer failed to
perform clearance sampling following work activities in areas where
asbestos-containing material had been identified:
(a)  Federal Building, 911 Walnut, Office of the Solicitor, 21st
floor.  On or about October 11 and 12, 1992, two Contract Services
Company, Inc., employees performed work in the area above the drop
ceiling, in the space between the drop ceiling and the fixed
ceiling,
where asbestos-containing material had been identified; the
work was done in an effort to make the area free of a potential
asbestos hazard to the contract company who would perform cable
installation at a later date.  The work included removal of loose
asbestos-containing material from the fixed ceiling, encapsulation
(with Chillfix) of friable material around the electrical junction
boxes, and HEPA vac of the dust.  Clearance sampling was not
conducted
at completion of the "abatement" work to ensure the area
was free of asbestos hazards.
(b)  Federal Building, 911 Walnut, Office of the Solicitor, 21st
floor.  On January 18, 1993, a voice communications company,
contracted
by Contract Services Company, Inc., performed installation
of computer cable in the area above the drop ceiling, between the
drop ceiling and the fixed ceiling (a space of approximately 18
inches), where asbestos-containing material had been identified,
and clearance sampling was not condoucted at completion of the
cable installation to ensure the area was free of asbestos
hazards.
Ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with the
employer, given his/her superior knowledge of the workplace; thus
the employer is responsible for complete characterization of the
hazards and the selection and implementation of effective
abatement
methods.  One feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard, is to:
(1)  Implement a clearance sampling procedure which complies
with the sampling methods outlined in 29 1926.85, 40 CFR Part
763, and General Service Administration's Asbestos Management
Plan, following any work activities conducted in an area
where asbestos-containing material has been identified.

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Issued

Mar 12, 1993

Abate by

Apr 14, 1993

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced