OSHA Inspection: CRUZ BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION CO.

Issued

May 15, 2015

Abate by

Jul 2, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,250 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(a): The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to any substance at a level in excess of the exposure limit given for that substance in Table Z-1 of this standard.    On or about 2/10/15, the following employees performing tuck pointing activities at the above address were exposed to silica in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the employer did not ensure compliance was achieved to protect the employees from silicosis hazards:    a) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 5.4 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 3.9 times the limit of 1.4 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected during a 410 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 70 minutes.    b) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.71 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.0 times the limit of 0.68 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected during a 420 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 60 minutes.    c) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.3 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.8 times the limit of .714 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected on 2-10-2015 during a 400 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 80 minutes.    d) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.9 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.9 times the limit of 0.97 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected on 2-10-2015 during a 425 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 55 minutes.     Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903(d).

Issued

May 15, 2015

Abate by

Aug 14, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d):  On or about 2/10/15, the following employees performing tuck pointing activities at the above address were exposed to silica in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the employer did not ensure engineering controls achieved compliance to protect the employees from silicosis hazards:  a) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 5.4 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 3.9 times the limit of 1.4 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected during a 410 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 70 minutes.  b) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 0.71 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.0 times the limit of 0.68 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected during a 420 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 60 minutes.  c) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.3 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.8 times the limit of .714 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected on 2-10-2015 during a 400 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 80 minutes.  d) A laborer was exposed to silica at an 8-hour time weighted average of 1.9 milligram per cubic meter, approximately 1.9 times the limit of 0.97 milligram per cubic meter; this limit is established to prevent silicosis. The sample was collected on 2-10-2015 during a 425 minute sampling period, with an assumed exposure of zero for the remaining sample time of 55 minutes.  Step 1: Submit to the Area Director a written, detail plan of abatement outlining the implementation of engineering measures to control employees exposure to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the abatement dates required by this citation:  a. Evaluation of engineering/administrative controls options; b. Select of optimum control methods and completion of design; c. Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures; d. Testing and acceptance or medication/redesign of controls.  Step 2: Feasible engineering controls include, but are not limited to:  -Water suppression system cutting and/or grinding tools to reduce or eliminate silica dust exposure.  Date by which Step 1 must be abated 6/15/15 Date by which Step 2 must be abated 7/15/15  Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903(d).