OSHA Inspection: VASQUEZ STONE SUPPLY LLC

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not established and implemented a written respiratory protection program.  One employee is required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(iv)(B): The employer did not provide an air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified by NIOSH under 30 CFR  part 11 as a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or an air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified for particulates by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protection against particulates:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had provided his employee with an air-purifying respirator that was equipped with organic vapor cartridges without HEPA filters.  The purpose of the respirator is to protect the employee from stone dust and silica generated while cutting stone.  One employee is required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

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:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not provided a medical evaluation for an employee required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that would ensure each employee could demonstrate knowledge of items in section (i)-(vii):  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had provided his employee with, and required the employee to use, an air-purifying respirator to protect the employee from stone dust and silica generated while cutting stone.  The employee stated that he had been told he has to wear the respirator while cutting stone but that he was not instructed on the proper fit; limitations and capabilities; proper procedures for inspecting, donning, doffing, and performing negative and positive pressure leak checks; proper maintenance and storage; or medical signs and symptoms that indicate ineffective use of the respirator.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):  COMPANY-WIDE:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not established and implemented a written hazard communican program to address chemical exposure on-site including, but not limited to, stone dust and silica.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii): Employee training did not include the physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area:  STONE YARD:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not provided training specific to physical and health hazards associated with exposure to chemicals on-site including, but not limited to, stone dust and silica.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Feb 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): An employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator was not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not provided for an employee to be fit-tested prior to using a respirator.  One employee is required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(iii): Employee(s) did not perform a user seal check each time they put on a tight-fitting respirator using the procedure in Appendix B-1 of 29 CFR 1910.134 or procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer that the employer demonstrated were as effective as those in Appendix B-1:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not instructed the employee that he should perform positive and negative pressure checks (or the equivalent) when he dons his respirator.  One employee is required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.

Issued

Dec 6, 2013

Abate by

Jan 27, 2014

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(h)(1)(i): Respirators issued for the exclusive use of an employee were not cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition:  STONE CUTTING AREA:  On or about November 20, 2013, the employer had not instructed the employee on proper procedures for cleaning and disinfecting his respirator.  The respirator was provided to the employee protect him from stone dust and silica generated while cutting stone.  One employee is required to wear a tight-fitting half-face respirator while cutting blue stone.