OSHA Inspection: CHATO'S CONCRETE LLC

Issued

2012-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-07-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.20(b)(2):  The employer did not initiate and maintain a safety program which provides for frequent and regular inspections of jobsites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person (i.e., a person who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them):  (a)  Chatos Concrete LLC at Colorado Blvd, 13th and 14th Intersections, Denver, CO 80220:  On and before March 6, 2012, the exposing employer, the subcontractor, did not ensure a safety program was developed and implemented for the work environment to include regular inspections of the jobsite, materials, and equipment made by a competent person.  The 8 corners at the above-mentioned intersections were being demolished as part of a traffic signal improvement project.  The demolition involved dry-cutting on concrete with a demo saw.  The demo saw is a hand-held tool.  This condition potentially exposes the employees to hazards associated with silica and noise.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

2012-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2012-07-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii):  The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace which includes a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminants chemical state and physical form:  (a)  Chatos Concrete LLC at Colorado Blvd, 13th and 14th Intersections, Denver, CO 80220:  On and before March 6, 2012, the employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard associated with dry-cutting on concrete.  This activity was being performed as part of a traffic signal improvement project.  The 8 corners at the above-mentioned intersections were being demolished as part of the project.  Demolition involved use of a hand-saw used dry.  This condition potentially exposed employees to a respiratory hazard associated with silica.  Abatement Note:  The employer must identify hazardous airborne contaminants that employees may inhale and make a reasonable estimate of employee exposures in determining the appropriate respirator for employees to use.  Although the most reliable and accurate method to determine exposure is to conduct personal air monitoring for all job tasks regardless of duration and location of work, it is not explicitly required by the respiratory protection standard.  Instead, other means can be used to estimate workplace exposures.  Acceptable means include:  (1)  Use of objective data  this is the use of data obtained from industry studies, trade associations, or from tests conducted by chemical manufacturers which demonstrate that air contaminants cannot be released in the workplace in airborne concentrations that are IDLH.  The objective data shall represent the highest contaminant exposures likely to occur under reasonably foreseeable conditions of processing, use, or handling.  The employer must document the use of objective data as part of their written program.  (2)  Application of mathematical approaches  the preamble to the final rule states that employers can use data on the physical and chemical properties of air contaminants, combined with information on room dimensions, air exchange rates, contaminant release rates, and other pertinent data including exposure patterns and work practices to estimate the maximum exposure that could be anticipated in the workplace.  (3)  As a continuing practice, employers are required to identify hazards as a result of changes in the workplace such as a change in equipment, process, products, or control measures that could result in new exposures.  Appropriate respirators should be provided as necessary.  Abatement Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).