OSHA Inspection: MILE HIGH CERAMICS, INC.

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Oct 5, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,250 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 hazard of silicosis and lung cancer from chronic
silica (respirable crystalline
quartz) exposure without being included in a medical monitoring program:
a) Employees were exposed to silica (respirable crystalline quartz) during
dry bag
dumping of clay product ingredients at concentrations up to 1.2 times the
permissible exposure level.  These employees were not included in a medical
monitoring program nor were they protected by a proper respiratory
protection
program.  The purpose of a medical monitoring program is to establish a
medical
and occupational baseline followed by routine medical surveillance in
order to
detect early signs of respiratory disease related to silica exposure.
Abatement Note: The specific elements of the medical monitoring program
will
be determined
by an occupational health physician, specializing in diseases of the lung,
but should include, as
a minimum:
1) 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 5 years
if under 20 years of exposure and every 2 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.
2) A baseline chest x-ray should be obtained prior to employment with a
follow-up
every 5 years is under 20 years of exposure and every 2 years if over 20
years of exposure.  A
chest x-ray may be required more frequently if determined by the examining
physician.
3) 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 5
years if under 20
years of exposure and every 2 years if over 20 years of exposure.  PFTs
may be required more
frequently if respiratory symptoms develop or if recommended by the
examining physician.
4) A chest x-ray should be obtained upon employment termination.
Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required
for this item (See
enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Oct 5, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Jan 4, 1999

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Jan 31, 1999

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Oct 11, 1998

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 18, 1998

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Oct 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $500 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Oct 11, 1998

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $300 Reduced

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Penalty

Initial $800 · Current $400 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8870

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Hazardous substances 8870

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Sep 11, 1998

Hazardous substances 8870

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Jan 1, 1999

Penalty

Initial $600 · Current $150 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Jan 1, 1999

Hazardous substances 9010

Issued

Aug 18, 1998

Abate by

Nov 1, 1998

Hazardous substances 9010