OSHA Inspection: GARTH CONSTRUCTION SERVICES CORPORATION

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jun 21, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0577

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures including medical evaluation and fit testing. The program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall include in the program the following provisions of this section, as applicable:         a. On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, the employer failed to develop a written respiratory protection program for an employee required to mix mortar containing Portland Cement.  The employee was overexposed to Portland cement at 146.2 millions of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 2.9 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.         b. On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, the employer failed to develop a written respiratory protection program for an employee required to mix mortar containing Portland cement.  The employee was overexposed to Portland Cement at 56 millions of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 1.12 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 23, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,100 · Current $1,050 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.51(f):  Adequate washing facilities were not provided for employees engaged in the application of paints, coating, herbicides, or insecticides, or in other operations where contaminants might have been harmful to the employees:  a.  On or about March 13, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, adequate washing facilities were not available for employees whose duties included working with mortar which contained Portland Cement.  None-alkaline soap was not provided, thereby exposing the employees to chemical burns resulting from contact with Hexavalent chromium.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jun 21, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $2,450 Reduced

Hazardous substances 0577

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 Hygienist:    a.  On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was exposed to Portland Cenment while performing mortar mixing operations.  The employee was exposed to Portland Cement at an 8-hour time-weighted average level (TWA) of 146.2 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 2.9 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.  b.  On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was exposed to Portland Cenment while performing mortar mixing operations.  The employee was exposed to Portland Cement at an 8-hour time-weighted average level (TWA) of 56 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 1.12 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

Jun 21, 2013

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 0577

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure(s):   a. On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was exposed to Portland Cement while performing mortar mixing operations.  The employee was exposed to Portland Cement at an 8-hour time-weighted average level (TWA) of 146.2 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 2.9 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.   b. On or about March 15, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, an employee was exposed to Portland Cement while performing mortar mixing operations.  The employee was exposed to Portland Cement at an 8-hour time-weighted average level (TWA) of 56 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 1.12 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 mppcf,  thereby exposing the employee to respiratory hazards.   1.  General engineering methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:                   a. Water misting      b. Direct exhaust using a hood.  Such as negative air machines with hoods attached over or next to the mixing area to remove the contaminant from the air.      2.  Administrative controls applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:          a.  Rotation of employees during mixing operations to reduce employee exposure to below the PEL.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,400 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.307(e)(1)(i): Where both runs of horizontal belts are 7 feet (2.128 m) or less from the floor level, the guard shall extend to at least 15 inches (38.1 cm) above the belt or to a standard height, except that where both runs of a horizontal belt are 42 inches (106.68 cm) or less from the floor, the belt shall be fully enclosed.  a. On or about March 13, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, the belt on the mortar mixer was not fully enclosed or guarded against accidental contact, thereby exposing the employees to the hazards associated with lacerations.

Issued

May 6, 2013

Abate by

May 31, 2013

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.29(a): A Log of all Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300), and/or the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (OSHA Form 300-A), and/or the Injury and Illness Incident Report (OSHA Form 301) or equivalent forms were not kept by the establishment:   a.  On or about March 13, 2013, at the above addressed jobsite, the employer failed to keep the OSHA 300/300A Forms for the years 2012, 2011 and 2010.