OSHA Inspection: ZERA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.

Issued

Jul 16, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,310 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9013

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1): The employer did not ensure that employee(s) required to use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator passed the appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT): (Construction Reference 1926.103)    a. On or about April 23, 2015, at the above located jobsite, an employee operating a pneumatic chipper was not required to pass a QLFT or QNFT prior to using a tight fitting full face respirator. The employee was exposed to respirable dust containing 15 % crystalline silica (quartz) at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 40.38 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 3.2 times the permissible limit (PEL) of 12.5 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to the hazards associated with silica.

Issued

Jul 16, 2015

Abate by

Sep 1, 2015

Penalty

Initial $3,850 · Current $2,310 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a):  Employee(s) were exposed to material(s) at concentrations above those specified in the Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:    a. On or about April 23, 2015, at the above located jobsite, an employee was exposed to respirable silica while operating a pneumatic chipper. The employee was exposed to respirable dust containing 15 % crystalline silica (quartz) at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 40.38 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 3.2 times the permissible limit (PEL) of 12.5 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to the hazards associated with silica.

Issued

Jul 16, 2015

Abate by

Aug 11, 2015

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): When administrative or engineering controls were not feasible to achieve full compliance, protective equipment or other protective measures were not used to keep the exposure of employees to air contaminants within the limits prescribed by 29 CFR 1926.55:  a. On or about April 23, 2015, at the above located jobsite,  an employee was exposed to respirable silica while operating a pneumatic chipper. The employee was exposed to respirable dust containing 15 % crystalline silica (quartz) at an 8-hour time-weighted average level of 40.38 million of particles per cubic foot (mppcf), approximately 3.2 times the permissible limit (PEL) of 12.5 mppcf, thereby exposing the employee to the hazards associated with silica.     General engineering methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:  a. Use water suppression during chipping operations.   b. Use negative air machines in the containment.   2.  Administrative controls applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:  Rotation of employees during chipping operations to reduce employee exposure to below the PEL.

Issued

Jul 16, 2015

Penalty

Initial $2,310 · Current $1,386 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.501(b)(4)(ii): Each employee on a walking/working surface shall be protected from tripping in or stepping into or through holes (including skylights) by covers.    a. On or about April 23, 2015, at the above addressed jobsite, floor holes throughout the worksite were not provided with covers, thereby exposing employees to tripping hazards.