OSHA Inspection: GRANITE BROTHERS

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1): Protective eye equipment was not required where there was a reasonable probability of injury that could be prevented by such equipment:    Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to the chemical hazards of Acetone (100%) and silica while cleaning and processing granite without suitable Personal Protective Equipment, such as safety glasses or safety goggles, for their eyes.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $500 Reduced

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:      Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards while cutting, grinding, and polishing granite slabs without a respiratory program to address key issues such as, but not limited to, training, fit testing, and medical evaluation for employees required to use 3M tight-fitting half-mask respirators and N95 filtering face piece respirators and were exposed to respirable crystalline silica exceeding the permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour work shift.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards and identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form:  Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards while cutting, grinding, and polishing granite slabs using dry methods without the employer's identification and evaluation of crystalline silica hazards in that employees were exposed to respirable crystalline silica exceeding the permissible exposure limit for an 8-hour work shift.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,200 · Current $500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.138(a): The employer did not select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees hands were exposed to hazardous condition(s):      Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while cleaning granite with chemicals, such as, but not limited to, Acetone (100%) and Crown Lacquer Thinner (acetone 85-95%), without suitable Personal Protective Equipment, such as rubber gloves, to protect their hands.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c): An employee was exposed to respirable crystalline silica in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average limits of (10mg/m^3)/(%SiO2+2) listed in Table Z-3:    Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, an employee performing dry grinding operations to granite slabs using a Makita angle grinder (Model: GA4542C, SN: 10875A) was exposed to respirable dust containing 15% crystalline silica (quartz) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 5.07 mg/m^3, approximately 8.6 times the Permissible Exposure Limit of 0.59 mg/m^3 during a 361 minute sampling period. Sample calculations include an assumed zero exposure for the 119 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 16, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

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):    Fabrication Shop: On or about April 5, 2016, an employee performing dry grinding operations to granite slabs using a Makita angle grinder (Model: GA4542C, SN: 10875A) was exposed to respirable dust containing 15% crystalline silica (quartz) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 5.07 mg/m^3, approximately 8.6 times the Permissible Exposure Limit of 0.59 mg/m^3 during a 361 minute sampling period. Sample calculations include an assumed zero exposure for the 119 minutes not sampled. Administrative and engineering controls were not in use to minimize employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Issued

Jul 22, 2016

Abate by

Aug 6, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,800 · Current $500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employers shall develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, material safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also includes the following:    a) Fabrication Shop: On or about March 31, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to respiratory hazards from silica inhalation during the fabrication of granite products, without implementation of a hazard communication program to address key issues such as, but not limited to, its hazard identification as carcinogenic, necessary personal protective equipment, and exposure effects.    b) Fabrication Shop: On or about March 31, 2016, and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to chemical hazards while cleaning and processing granite with chemicals such as, but not limited to, Acetone (100%) and Crown Lacquer Thinner (acetone 85-95%), without implementation of a hazard communication program to address key issues, such as, but not limited to, necessary personal protective equipment, first aid measure, and exposure effects.