OSHA Inspection: FABRICON INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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:
the hazards of developing undetected cases of silicosis from being exposed
to unknown
concentrations of crystalline silica:
a) At the facility, where a sandblaster was exposed to silica, containing
75% crystalline quartz,
at an 8-hour time-weighted average of 25 mg/m3.  The acceptable
Permissible Exposure Limit
for silica with 75crystalline quartz is 0.129 mg/m3.  Sampling was
conducted for 150 minutes
during the work shift on 08/18/99. Zero exposure was assumed for the
remaining 330 minutes.
b) At the facility, where a painter/helper was exposed to silica,
containing
70crystalline
quartz, at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.362 mg/m3.  The acceptable
permissible
exposure limit for silica with 70crystalline quartz is 0.138 mg/m3.
Sampling was conducted
for 134 minutes during the work shift on 08/18/99.  Zero exposure was
assumed for the
remaining 346 minutes.
Feasible methods of abatement may include, but are not limited to:
1.  Medical surveillance, including:
a. A baseline examination which includes a medical and occupational
history to elicit data
on signs and symptoms of respiratory disease prior to exposure to
crystalline silica.  The
medical examination emphasizing the respiratory system should be repeated
every five
years if under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20 years
of exposure.
The medical examination should be repeated more frequently if respiratory
symptoms
develop or upon the recommendation of the examining physician.
b. A baseline chest x-ray should be obtained prior to employment with a
follow-up every
five years if under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20
years of
exposure.  A chest x-ray may be required more frequently if determined by
the
examining physician.
c. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): should include FEV (forced expiratory
volume in
1 second), FVC (forced vital capacity) and DLCO (diffusion lung capacity).
PFTs
should be obtained for a baseline examination with PFT's repeated every
five years if
under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20 years of
exposure.  PFTs may
be required more frequently if respirable symptoms develop or if
recommended by the
examining physician.
d. A chest x-ray should be obtained upon employment termination.

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Dec 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $625 Reduced

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Issued

Oct 5, 1999

Abate by

Nov 7, 1999

Penalty

Initial $750 · Current $375 Reduced