OSHA Inspection: AFFORDABLE ENGINEERING SERVICES INC

Issued

Apr 9, 2015

Abate by

May 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $15,000 · Current $5,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1027(l)(10)(i):  The employer did not promptly obtain a written medical opinion from the examining physician for each medical examination performed on each employee:    (a)Affordable Engineering Services Inc. at 7285 4th Street, Hill Air Force Base, UT: On and preceding 10/21/14, Affordable Engineering Services Inc. did not promptly obtain a written medical opinion from the examining physician for each medical examination performed on each employee.  One employee abrasively blasted aircraft parts in PEG 507J4 within Building 507.  This process generated cadmium dust.  On 10/21/14 the employee was exposed to cadmium at a concentration greater than the 8 hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.005 mg/m3.  The employee was exposed to cadmium at a concentration of 0.175 mg/m3 as an 8 hour TWA.  This is 34.98 times the PEL.  Affordable Engineering Services Inc. had not obtained from the examining physician the results of any biological or other testing, or the physician's opinion as to whether there were any indications of potential cadmium toxicity.  This condition exposed the employee to a cadmium hazard.    Affordable Engineering Services Inc was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1027(l)(10)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection 314663626, Citation 1, Item 12d and was issued on 7/28/11, and affirmed as a final order on 8/18/11, with respect to a workplace located at Hill Air Force Base, UT.    Abatement Note: The written medical opinion shall include the following:   1.  The physician's diagnosis for the employee;  2.  The physician's opinion as the whether the employee has any detected medical conditions(s) that would place the employee at increased risk of material impairment to health from further exposure to cadmium, including any indications of potential cadmium toxicity;  3.  The results of any biological or other testing or related evaluations that directly assess the employee's absorption of cadmium;  4.  Any recommended removal from, or limitation on the activities or duties of the employee or on the employee's use of personal protective equipment, such as respirators; and  5.  A statement that the physician has clearly and carefully explained to the employee the results of the medical examination, including all biological monitoring results and any medical conditions related to cadmium exposure that require further evaluation or treatment, and any limitation on the employee's diet or use of medications.