OSHA Inspection: JS GLASS LLC

Issued

2013-07-25 00:00:00

Abate by

2013-07-31 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2800.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a): Employee(s) were exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) at concentrations above the 50 parts per million (ppm) specified in the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:    a) for the employee working at Schofield Barracks on or about May 30, 2013.  The employee was performing asbestos remediation work which involved the removal of vinyl asbestos tiles using a propane-powered floor scraper (Bronco) inside a negative pressure containment.  After 140 minutes of uisng the Bronco, the employee became ill.  Subsequent evaluation at a local hospital emergency room determined the employee had CO poisoning.  The manufacturer-provided CO monitor, which was to be used in conjunction with the Bronco, was inoperable.  The employee was exposed to CO during a 140 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 741.0 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.133). The % COHb (carboxyhemoglobin) in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 47.6%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account.  The 8-hour TWA exposure was 216.1 ppm CO (SAE = 0.126), which is 4.32 times the TLV of 50 ppm CO.