OSHA Inspection: CONTINENTAL GRANITE AND MARBLE, INC.

Issued

Apr 27, 2015

Abate by

Jun 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $1,680 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(c)(1): The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.95(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  a.       On February 18, 2015, at fabrication shop, a fabricator, polishing granite countertop, was exposed to a noise dose of 80.09%, or an equivalent dBA (decibels A scale) of 88.4 dBA, which is capable of causing permanent hearing loss. The noise sampling was conducted for 382 minutes during one work shift.     The employer did not administer an effective hearing conservation program in that employees were not provided the required initial monitoring program, baseline or annual audiograms, and hearing protection training that included an explanation of audiometric testing, instructions on the fitting, use and care of the various hearing protectors.

Issued

Apr 27, 2015

Abate by

May 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,040 · Current $1,224 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4):  a.      On or about February 18, 2015, at the fabrication shop, fabricators used a hand held Makita grinder with a 4 inch diameter silicon carbide grinding stone wheel to polish granite countertops and the grinder did not have a safety guard, exposing employees to laceration hazards.

Issued

Apr 27, 2015

Abate by

Jun 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

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:    a.       On or about February 18, 2015, at the fabrication shop, employees were required to wear 3M 8200 N95 respirators or 3M tekk Sanding and fiberglass air purifying respirators while dry cutting granite countertops and the employer had not established a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures:   1. The employer did not provide medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator; 3. The employer did not provide fit testing; 4. The employer did not provide procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing and maintaining respirators;      5. The employer did not provide training on the proper use, seal inspection, storage and limitations of the respirator. 6. The employees were allowed to use the respirator having facial hair that interfered with the seal of the respirator.

Issued

Apr 27, 2015

Abate by

Jun 12, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 00409010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  a.       On or about February 18, 2015, at the fabrication shop, employees were potentially exposed to hazardous materials such as but not limited to silica dust, acetone, wax, hybrid Polyurethane, and degreaser. The employer had not developed nor implemented a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Apr 27, 2015

Abate by

May 21, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 00409010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv):   The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, did not include an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employee could obtain and use the appropriate hazard information:  a.      On or about February 18, 2015, the employer did not provide the information and training on the new label elements and the new Safety Data Sheet format to employees who had exposure to hazardous materials such as but not limited to silica, acetone, wax, and propane.