OSHA Inspection: KNEPPER CONSTRUCTION

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1):  A written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures, as specified in subparagraphs (c)(1)(i) through (ix) of this section, was not established and implemented where respirator(s) were necessary to protect the health of the employee:    (a)	Knepper Construction, 530 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before            June, 22 2011, the employer did not ensure that a written respiratory protection            program was established and implemented in the workplace when the use of           respirators was required during fabrication operations.  The employer requires          employees to wear respirators while cutting brick. One employee wore an N 95           dust mask and the other wears an AO Safety tight fitting half mask respirator             during brick removal.     Abatement Note:  The written program shall include at least the                following:        (1)   Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;        (2)   Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;        (3)   Fit testing procedures for tight fitting respirators;        (4)   Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable              emergency situations;    (5)	Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfection, storing, inspection., repairing,          discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;    (6)   Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for           atmosphere-supplying respirators;    (7)   Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially          exposed during routine and emergency situation;    (8)   Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and           removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and    (9)	Procedure for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed Sample Abatement Certification Letter).

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(iii):  The employer did not evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminants chemical state and physical form:     (a)	Knepper Construction, 530 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before          June, 22 2011, the employer did not conduct air monitoring or evaluate the          employees exposure to the air contaminants associated with the brick cutting          performed at the job site.  Employees are exposed to silica.  This condition exposed         employees to respiratory hazards.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is not required for this item.

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1):  The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employees ability to use a respirator, before the employees were fit tested or required to us a respirator in the workplace:    (a)	Knepper Construction, 530 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before June, 22 2011, the employer did not ensure that employees who are required to wear respirators had received medical evaluations.  Two employees who wore respirators had not received medical evaluations. The employer requires employees to wear respirators while cutting brick. One employee wore an N 95 dust mask and the other wore an AO Safety tight fitting half mask respirator.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed Sample Abatement Certification Letter).

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2):  The employer did not ensure that employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, or at least annually: \\r\\n\\r\\n(a)\\tKnepper Construction Company, 530 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before June, 22 2011, the employer did not ensure that employees who were required to wear respirators had received fit tests.  The employer requires employees to wear respirators. One employee wears and elastomeric half-face respirator. Improper respirator fit potentially exposes employees to respiratory hazards. \\r\\n\\r\\nAbatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed \\u001CSample Abatement Certification Letter\\u001D).\\r\\n

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(1):  The employer did not ensure that each respirator user had a respirator that was clean, sanitary, and in good working order.  The employer did not ensure that respirators were cleaned and disinfected using procedures in Appendix B-2 of this section, pr procedures recommended but the respirator manufacturer, whichever procedures are of equivalent effectiveness:      (a)	Knepper Construction, 530 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before June, 22 2011, the employer did not provide a mechanism for employees to clean their respirators.  The employer requires respirators to be worn when cutting brick.  This exposes employees to silica dust inhalation due to poorly fitting respirators or respirators that are contaminated on the inside.     Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed Sample Abatement Certification Letter).

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 6, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1):  The employer did not provide training prior to requiring employees to use respirators in the workplace:\\r\\n\\r\\n(a)\\tKnepper Construction, 580 Race St., Denver, CO 80206:  On and before June 22, 2011 the employer did not provide respirator training prior to requiring the use of air purifying respirators while conducting brick cutting.  This condition exposes employees to respiratory hazards such as silicosis.\\r\\n\\r\\nNote:\\tThe employee shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following: \\r\\n\\r\\n(1)\\tWhy the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;\\r\\n\\r\\n(2)\\tWhat the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;\\r\\n\\r\\n(3)\\tHow to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situation in which the respirator malfunctions;\\r\\n\\r\\n(4)\\tHow to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator;\\r\\n\\r\\n(5)\\tWhat the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;\\r\\n\\r\\n(6)\\tHow to recognize medical signs o and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and\\r\\n\\r\\n(7)\\tThe general requirements of this section\\r\\n\\r\\nAbatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed \\u001CSample Abatement Certification Letter\\u001D).\\r\\n

Issued

Aug 24, 2011

Abate by

Oct 31, 2011

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1):  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met:\r\n\r\n     (a) Kneppler Construction Company, 580 Race St., Denver, CO 80206: The\r\n          employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace a\r\n          specific written hazard communication program which describes how the\r\n          specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels\r\n          of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training\r\n          will be met.\r\n\r\nAbatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed\r\nAbatement-Certification Letter\").\r\n