OSHA Inspection: TP MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS

Issued

2015-05-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $7000.00 · Current $7000.00

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a): Exposure of employees to inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, or contact with any material or substance at a concentration above those specified in the "Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970" of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, shall be avoided. See Appendix A to this section.    a) On or about March 6, 2015, a pipe fitter welding carbon steel pipe during a construction project was exposed to carbon monoxide gas. The carboxyhemoglobin level of the employee was calculated to have reached a peak of 30.0%. This was calculated to be an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) exposure of 257.6 parts per million which was 5.15 times OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 50 parts per million.

Issued

2015-05-28 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-12-20 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): To achieve compliance with paragraph (a) of this section, administrative or engineering controls must first be implemented whenever feasible. When such controls are not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or other protective measures shall be used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limits prescribed in this section. Any equipment and technical measures used for this purpose must first be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or other technically qualified person. Whenever respirators are used, their use shall comply with 1926.103.      a)  On or about March 6, 2015, a pipe fitter welding carbon steel pipe during a construction project was exposed to carbon monoxide gas. The carboxyhemoglobin level of the employee was calculated to have reached a peak of 30.0%. This was calculated to be an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) exposure of 257.6 parts per million which was 5.15 times OSHA's permissible exposure limit of 50 parts per million. General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:     1. Assess the decomposition products generated by fuel burning equipment such as, but not limited to, heaters, and equipment having internal combustion engines. Provide adequate ventilation that will ensure that air contaminants generated from the fuel burning equipment are maintained below OSHA's permissible exposure limits.     2. Provide continuous monitoring alarms that will sound a warning before air contaminants reach dangerous levels allowing employees to safely evacuate the area.     3. Maintain and/or repair fuel burning equipment to ensure efficient combustion.     4. Use electric-powered equipment that will eliminate air contaminants produced by internal combustion engines.