OSHA Inspection: INNOVATIVE BLOCK OF SOUTH TEXAS LTD

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:    At this site, employees were exposed to noise at levels greater than 85 dBA which exceeds the OSHA action level for noise for an 8-hour work day.  Employees were not provided annual audiometric tests to ensure hearing protection and other measures were effective.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

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:    At this site employee conducting concrete crushing operation was not provided medical evaluation exposing employees airborne contaminates such as silica.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator were not annually fit tested:   At this jobsite employee working in the crushing area were exposed to airborne contaminants such as silica and were not annually fit tested.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $1,750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(ii)(A): Refresher training in relevant topics was not provided to the operator when the operator had been observed to operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner    At this jobsite employees operating power industrial trucks (PIT) in an unsafe manner such as but not limited to:    a) PIT being left on the on position unattended.     b) PIT seatbelts being engaged and unworn while under operation.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5)(i): When a powered industrial truck is left unattended, load engaging means were not fully lowered, controls were not neutralized, power was not shut off, and brakes set.  At this job site in the back of production line an employees left powered industrial truck with power on and unattended, exposing employees to crush or struck-by hazard.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

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

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c): An employee(s) was exposed to (IDENTIFY MATERIAL) in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average limits of (INCLUDE APPROPRIATE VALUE FROM TABLE) listed in Table Z-3:    On or about February 12, 2015 and at times prior thereto, at this location, crusher/QC operator employee was exposed to airborne concentrations of silica at 12 milligrams/cubic meter as an 8-hour time weighted average while performing brick work activities. This concentration represents 2.79 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL). Sampling was performed on February 12, 2015  during a normal work shift for a period of 441 minutes. Zero exposure is assumed for the remaining 39 minutes.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Aug 26, 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 February 12, 2015 and at times prior thereto, at this location, crusher/QC operator employee was exposed to airborne concentrations of silica at 12 milligrams/cubic meter as an 8-hour time weighted average while performing brick work activities. This concentration represents 2.79 times the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL). Sampling was performed on February 12, 2015  during a normal work shift for a period of 441 minutes. Zero exposure is assumed for the remaining 39 minutes.    General methods of control that may be applicable to the process include but are not limited to:  1. Installation and/or improvement of ventilation system(s) to reduce or control particulates which are released during the concrete crushing process. 2. use of wet methods to reduce airborne silica. 3. Implement a housekeeping program. Clothing, equipment and surfaces should be cleaned in such a manner as to avoid creating exposure from dust clouds. 4. Develop and implement an employee job rotation schedule to reduce exposure levels by reducing exposure times to dust.

Issued

May 20, 2015

Abate by

Jun 18, 2015

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $350 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1904.4(a): The employer did not keep records of fatalities, injuries and illnesses as required by this part:    At this jobsite employer did not maintain records including OSHA form 300, 300A and 301 or equivalent of injuries & illnesses for the following calendar years:    a) 2013    b) 2014