OSHA Inspection: MERCHANT DEMOLITION, LLC

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2250.00 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:     a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset wore N95 filtering facepiece respirators.  The employer had not implemented and maintained an effective respiratory protection program prior to required respirator use.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(iii): When the employer was unable to identify or reasonably estimate the employee exposure, the employer did not consider the atmosphere to be IDLH:   a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset wore N95 filtering facepiece respirators.  The employer failed to identify and reasonably estimate employee exposures prior to providing employees with respiratory protection.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

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:   a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset wore N95 filtering facepiece respirators.  The employer did not ensure that employees had received medical evaluations prior to being required to wear respirators in the workplace.  This condition exposed the employees to potential cardiopulmonary hazards stemming from an increased respiratory burden.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset were required to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators.  The employer had not ensured that employees had been fit tested prior to initial use of the respirators.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(3): Training was not provided prior to requiring employees to use a respirator in the workplace:  a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset were required to wear N95 filtering facepiece respirators.  The employer had not ensured that employees had been properly trained on their respiratory protection prior to initial use of the respirators.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a): Employees were exposed to materials at concentrations above those specified in the Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:   a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset using a chipper and grinders were exposed in excess of their respective permissible exposure limits to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  1.  An employee performing chipping and grinding on tile and thinset containing crystalline silica quartz within the demolition tent was exposed to respirable dust containing 10% crystalline silica (quartz) at a TWA level of 19.12 mppcf, approximately 1.1 times the limit of 16.67 mppcf; this limit is established to prevent silicosis.  The exposure level is derived from one sampled collected over a 148 minute period.     2.  An employee performing chipping and grinding on tile and thinset containing crystalline silica quartz within the demolition tent was exposed to respirable dust containing 9.3% crystalline silica (quartz) at a TWA level of 20.71 mppcf, approximately 1.2 times the limit of 17.48 mppcf; this limit is established to prevent silicosis.  The exposure level is derived from one sample over a 142 minute period.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposures:    a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset using a chipper and grinders were exposed in excess of their respective permissible exposure limits to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  1.  An employee performing chipping and grinding on tile and thinset containing crystalline silica quartz within the demolition tent was exposed to respirable dust containing 10% crystalline silica (quartz) at a TWA level of 19.12 mppcf, approximately 1.1 times the limit of 16.67 mppcf.  Adequate engineering or administrative controls were not used to reduce exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit.    2.  An employee performing chipping and grinding on tile and thinset containing crystalline silica quartz within the demolition tent was exposed to respirable dust containing 9.3% crystalline silica (quartz) at a TWA level of 20.71 mppcf, approximately 1.2 times the limit of 17.48 mppcf.  Adequate engineering or administrative controls were not used to reduce exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit.    General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following:    1. Utilizing tools equipped with local exhaust ventilation.    2.  Providing for active water misting operations during chipping and grinding operations.    3.  Increase the amount of fresh air flowing into the space by increasing the output of negative air units.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3500.00 · Current $2250.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program which at included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):     a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset were exposed to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  The employer failed to implement and maintain a written hazard communication program prior to working with hazardous chemicals such as crystalline silica quartz.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.

Issued

2016-06-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2016-07-27 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(1): Employees were not provided effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a new hazard that the employees had not been previously trained about was introduced into their work area:    a) Merchant Demolition, LLC at 7887 W Tufts Ave., Denver, CO 80123:  On or before May 4th, 2016 employees performing demolition activities of tile and thinset were exposed to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.  The employer failed to ensure that employees had received effective information and training at the time of their initial assignment.  This condition exposed employees to respiratory hazards involving exposures to respirable dust containing crystalline silica quartz.