OSHA Inspection: SILVER VALLEY DRILLING AND BLASTING INC

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,700 · Current $1,700

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a):     Employee(s) were exposed to material(s) at concentrations above those specified in the Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:    a.) A Muschlitz employee, pipe laborer, was exposed to carbon monoxide at a calculated 8-hour time weighted average of  417.4 parts per million, approximately 8.3 times the permissible exposure limit ,based on the employee's carboxyhemoglobin levels obtained on the day of the incident, 8-1-12.    b.) A Muschlitz employee, site superintendent, was exposed to carbon monoxide at a calculated 8-hour time weighted average of 165.0 parts per million, approximately 3.3 times the permissible exposure limit, based on the employee's carboxyhemoglobin levels obtained on the day of the incident, 8-1-12.    c.) A Muschlitz employee, pipe foreman, was exposed to carbon monoxide at a calculated 8-hour time weighted average of  130.3 parts per million, approximately 2.6 times the permissible exposure limit, based on the employee's carboxyhemoglobin levels obtained on the day of the incident, 8-1-12.    Abatement Certification and Documentation Required

Issued

Jan 17, 2013

Abate by

Feb 22, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b):     Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure(s):    a.) An employee, pipe laborer, was exposed to carbon monoxide in excess of the permissible exposure limits and the employer did not implement all feasible engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce employee's exposure to carbon monoxide, on or about 8-1-12.    b.) An employee, site superintendent, was exposed to carbon monoxide in excess of the permissible exposure limits and the employer did not implement all feasible engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce employee's exposure to carbon monoxide, on or about 8-1-12.    c.) An employee, pipe foreman, was exposed to carbon monoxide in excess of the permissible exposure limits and the employer did not implement all feasible engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce employee's exposure to carbon monoxide, on or about 8-1-12.      Abatement Certification and Documentation Required    GENERAL METHODS OF CONTROL APPLICABLE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:  -Perform air monitoring prior to the entry of any employee to the trench when blasting has taken place.  -Perform air monitoring continuously following blasting while the employees are in the trench.  -Utilize methods to prevent CO migration following blasting such as application of negative pressure near the blast site and remove any confining layer covering the rock being blasted to allow the gas to exit the ground.  -Utilize methods such as ventilation to mitigate CO that has migrated as a result of blasting.     ABATEMENT   A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposures to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation.