OSHA Inspection: GALVESTON SHIPBUILDING

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

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 1.0crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted
Average of 20.6 mg/m3.  The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit
for silica with 1.0crystalline quartz is 3.33 mg/m3.  Sampling was
conducted for 395 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97.  Zero
exposure was assumed for the remaining 85 minutes.
(b)  at the facility, where a Sandblaster was exposed to silica,
containing 1.3crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted
Average of 6.3 mg/m3.  The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit for
silica with 1.3crystalline quartz is 3.03 mg/m3.  Sampling was
conducted for 397 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97.  Zero
exposure was assumed for the remaining 83 minutes.
(c)  at the facility, where a Sandblaster was exposed to silica,
containing 1.0crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted
Average of 20.8 mg/m3.  The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit
for silica with 1.0crystalline quartz is 3.33 mg/m3.  Sampling was
conducted for 400 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97.  Zero
exposure was assumed for the remaining 80 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 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 everyfive 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

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Dec 29, 1997

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 11, 1998

Hazardous substances 8110

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Dec 30, 1997

Penalty

Initial $1,225 · Current $613 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $875 · Current $438 Reduced

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 26, 1998

Penalty

Initial $700

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $263 Reduced

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Mar 30, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Dec 24, 1997

Abate by

Jan 11, 1998

Hazardous substances 8110