OSHA Inspection: THE BARTON COMPANY

Issued

May 14, 1997

Abate by

Jun 18, 1997

Penalty

Initial $1,375

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 quartz.
(a)  at the Phillips 66 Company in Old Ocean, Texas, where a
sandblaster was exposed to silica, containing 25.06crystalline
quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 31.49 mg/m3.  The
acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit for silica with 25.06
crystalline quartz is 0.36 mg/m3.  Sampling was conducted during
the first shift on 11-19-96 for 384 minutes.  Zero exposure was
assumed for the remaining 96 minutes.
Feasible methods of abatement may include, but are not limited to:
1.  Initial monitoring, each time the process changes, to establish
levels of exposure to crystalline silica.
2.  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 FEV1
(forced expiratory volume in 1 second), FVC (forced vital
capacity) and DLCO (diffusion lung capacity).  PFTs should be
obtained for a baseline examination with PFTs 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

May 14, 1997

Abate by

Jun 18, 1997

Issued

May 14, 1997

Abate by

Jun 18, 1997

Issued

May 14, 1997

Abate by

Jun 18, 1997

Penalty

Initial $825