OSHA Inspection: R & G GRANITE WORKS

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $2,400 · Current $1,200 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE):     (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present, or were likely to be present, which necessitated the use of personal protective equipment in that fabrication tasks involving chemical, physical, or other hazards were not assessed to determine PPE requirements.  Lack of a PPE Hazard assessment may prevent employees from choosing and using the correct PPE for a task.    Abatement Note: If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:  Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;  Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and,  Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. Note: Non-mandatory Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1) The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used eye protection when exposed to flying particles. Employees performing stone cutting, grinding, and polishing tasks did not wear the safety glasses they were issued.  This condition exposed employees to eye injuries.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.136(a)The employer did not ensure that each affected employee used protective footwear when working in areas where there was a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where such employee's feet were exposed to electrical hazards:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not ensure that each affected employee working in areas where there was a danger of foot injuries used protective footwear.  Fabricators lift and carry stone countertops, tabletops, and precut slabs manually. This condition exposed employees to foot injuries.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Aug 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200 · Current $2,100 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c) Employees were exposed to crystalline silica, listed in Table Z-3, in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO:  On February 16, 2012 the employer did not ensure that employees who were performing stone cutting, grinding, and fabrication tasks were protected from over-exposure to crystalline silica.  Employee A, working as a fabricator, was exposed to a Time Weighted Average (8-hour TWA) for crystalline silica of 1.99 mg/m3 when the PEL was 0.435 mg/m3.  This level of exposure could lead to employees developing silicosis or other lung diseases.    (b) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO:  On February 16, 2012 the employer did not ensure that employees who were performing stone cutting, grinding, and fabrication tasks were protected from over-exposure to crystalline silica.  Employee B, working as a fabricator, was exposed to a Time Weighted Average (8-hour TWA) for crystalline silica of 2.16 mg/m3 when the PEL was 0.400 mg/m3.  This level of exposure could lead to employees developing silicosis or other lung diseases.    (c) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO:  On February 16, 2012 the employer did not ensure that employees who were performing stone cutting, grinding, and fabrication tasks were protected from over-exposure to crystalline silica.  Employee C, working as a fabricator, was exposed to a Time Weighted Average (8-hour TWA) for crystalline silica of 3.30 mg/m3 when the PEL was 0.500 mg/m3.  This level of exposure could lead to employees developing silicosis or other lung diseases.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Aug 6, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e) Feasible admnistrative and engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):     (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO:  On February 16, 2012 the employer did not implement administrative or engineering controls to achieve compliance with paragraph (a) of this section in that the employer relied on respiratory protection when employees were exposed to silica in excess of the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).   This condition exposed employees fabricating granite countertops to a respiratory hazard.    Abatement Note: Feasible engineering controls include, but are not limited to the use of:  1. Local exhaust ventilation;  2. Wet methods while performing stone fabrication tasks; and  3. Automated stone cutting machines which remove the employee from exposure.    STEP 1: Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering controls and/or administrative controls can be implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to within exposure limits.    STEP 1 Abatement Date (15 Days):     STEP 2: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to silica.  The plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which should be consistent with the dates required by this citation:    (a) Evaluation of the extent and location of the hazard source  (b) Evaluation of control measure options  (c) Selection of optimum control measures  (d) Determination of control measure design  (e) Ordering and delivery of equipment  (f) Installation of control measures  (g) Training of employees in proper operation and maintenance of newly implemented control measures  (h) Assurance of the effective performance of control measures    All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent Industrial Hygienist or other technically qualified person.  Thirty (30) day progress reports are required during the abatement period.  The progress report must identify the action taken to achieve abatement and the date the action was taken.    STEP 2 Abatement Date (60 Days):     STEP 3: Abatement will be completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls and upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.    STEP 3 Abatement Date: (90 Days):     Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1) Where respirators were necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators were required by the employer, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: When respirators were necessary to protect the health of employees, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite specific procedures.  The condition exposed employees to a respiratory hazard.    Abatement Note:  The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:  Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;  Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;  Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;  Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;  Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;  Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;  Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;  Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and  Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.  The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

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 employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not provide medical evaluations to determine each employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use a respirator in the workplace.  This condition may allow employees with pre-existing medical conditions to use respirators when they are not physically capable of doing so.    Abatement Note: "Appendix C to Sec. 1910.134: OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire" contains the mandatory information that employees must complete so that a physician (health care professional) may decide if it is appropriate for the employees to wear a respirator.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2) The employer did not ensure that an employee 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) was used, and at least annually thereafter:    (a)  R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not ensure that employees were fit tested prior to using tight-fitting facepiece respirators.  Employees fabricating stone table tops were exposed to silica in excess of the OSHA PEL and were not fit tested prior to use dust masks.  Improper respirator fit exposes employees to respiratory hazards.    Abatement Note: The employer shall establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee including:  The name or identification of the employee tested;  Type of fit test performed;  Specific make, model, style, and size of respirator tested;  Date of test; and  The pass/fail results for QLFTs or the fit factor and strip chart recording or other recording of the test results for QNFTs.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

May 23, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function:    (a)  R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer permitted respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face. Three employees were observed to have facial hair when using dust masks.  Use of improperly sealed respirators exposes employees to respiratory hazards.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1) The employer did not ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of subparagraphs (k)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section:    (a)  R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not ensure that employees could demonstrate respirator knowledge in that workers exposed to silica in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL)were not thoroughly trained on the use and limitations of their respirators.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards including silicosis.    Abatement Note: Employees required to use respirators must be knowledgeable of the following:  1. Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;  2. What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;  3. How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;  4. How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator;  5. What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;  6. How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and  7. The general requirements of this section.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

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:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at the workplace a site specific written hazard communication program which 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.  This condition exposed employees to chemical and dust hazards.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8) The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required material safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical:    (a)  R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: the employer did not maintain copies of the required material safety data sheets (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical.  MSDSs were not available for acetone, adhesives, and stone that were used onsite.  This condition exposed employees to a chemical hazard.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

May 8, 2012

Abate by

Jun 7, 2012

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1) The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new physical or health hazard the employees had not previously been trained about was introduced into their work area:    (a) R and G Granite Works at 7000 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City, CO: The employer did not provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area.  Employees did not know what material safety data sheets were and did not know the hazards of the chemicals in their work areas.  This condition exposed employees to chemical and dust hazards.    Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").