OSHA Inspection: HILLTOP SLATE, INC

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,300 · Current $3,445 Reduced

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 or about 8/15/16, in the mill, for an employee operating a block saw, cutting up large pieces of slate rock. This worker was exposed to noise at 215% of the allowable dose measured on a 85 dBA dosimeter or an equivalent sound level of 95.5 decibels measured for 404 minutes on August 15, 2016. Zero exposure was assumed for 76 minutes. The employer did not implement a hearing conservation program.    b).  On or about 8/15/16, in the mill, for an employee operating the foot punching machine, fastening holes into the slate pieces. This worker was exposed to 82% of the allowable dose measured on a 85 dBA dosimeter or an equivalent sound level of 88.6 decibels measured for 364 minutes on August 15, 2016. Zero exposure was assumed for 116 minutes. The employer did not implement a hearing conservation program.    c).  On or about 8/15/16, in the mill, for an employee conducting splitting tasks, chipping pieces of slate with a hand held chisel and hammer. This worker was exposed to 68% of the allowable dose measured on a 85 dBA dosimeter or an equivalent sound level of level of 87.2 decibels measured for 407 minutes on August 15, 2016. Zero exposure was assumed for 73 minutes. The employer did not implement a hearing conservation program.    d).  On or about 8/15/16, in the mill, for an employee operating a trimmer, operating a zip trimmer on pieces of slate. This worker was exposed to 314% of the allowable dose measured on a 85 dBA dosimeter or an equivalent sound level of level of 98.2 decibels measured for 404 minutes on August 15, 2016. Zero exposure was assumed for 76 minutes. The employer did not implement a hearing conservation program.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $5,300 · Current $3,445 Reduced

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:    a). On or about 8/3/16, in the mill, for employees fastening holes in slate using a foot puncher. The employer did not require the use of safety glasses.    b). On or about 8/3/16, in the mill, for employees splitting slate with a handheld chisel and hammer. The employer did not require the use of safety glasses.    c). On or about 8/3/16, in the mill, for employees operating the block saw and cutting large pieces of slate. The employer did not require the use of safety glasses.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.133(a)(3): The employer did not ensure that each affected employee who wears prescription lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards wears eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or wears eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses without disturbing the proper position of the prescription lenses or the protective lenses:    a). On or about 8/3/16, in the mill, for the employee fastening holes in slate using a foot puncher. The employee donned prescription lenses during operations. The employer did not require the use of safety glasses that can be worn over prescription lenses.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,730 · Current $5,675 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): The employer did not establish and maintain a respiratory protection program which included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.134(c):    a). On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating zip trimmer #4, was exposed to respirable dust containing 376% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 0.28 mg/m³, which is approximately 1.11 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.256 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 386-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 94 minutes not sampled. The employer did not establish a respiratory protection program as a means for employees to protect themselves.     b). On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating a block saw, was exposed to respirable dust containing 18%crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 1.02 mg/m³, which is approximately 2.04 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.5 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 389-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 91 minutes not sampled. The employer did not establish a respiratory protection program as a means for employees to protect themselves.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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 8/15/16, an employee operating zip trimmer #4, was exposed to respirable dust containing 376% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 0.28 mg/m³, which is approximately 1.11 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.256 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 386-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 94 minutes not sampled. The employer did not establish a written respiratory protection program as a means for employees to protect themselves.     b). On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating a block saw, was exposed to respirable dust containing 18%crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 1.02 mg/m³, which is approximately 2.04 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.5 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 389-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 91 minutes not sampled. The employer did not establish a written respiratory protection program as a means for employees to protect themselves.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $8,730 · Current $5,574 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000(c): Employees were exposed to crystalline silica, listed in Table Z-3, in excess of the 8-hour time weighted average concentrations listed for those materials:     a) On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating zip trimmer #4, was exposed to respirable dust containing 37.6% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 0.28 mg/m³, which is approximately 1.11 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.256 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 386-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 94 minutes not sampled.    b). On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating a block saw, was exposed to respirable dust containing 18% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 1.02 mg/m³, which is approximately 2.04 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.5 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 389-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 91 minutes not sampled.

Issued

Oct 28, 2016

Abate by

Nov 23, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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):    a)    On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating zip trimmer #4, was exposed to respirable dust containing 37.6% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 0.28 mg/m³, which is approximately 1.11 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.256 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 386-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 94 minutes not sampled.    b). On or about 8/15/16, an employee operating a block saw, was exposed to respirable dust containing 18% crystalline silica (quartz) at a Time-Weighted Average level of 1.02 mg/m³, which is approximately 2.04 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for crystalline silica of 0.5 mg/m³. The exposure level is derived from two samples collected over a 389-minute period; the calculations include a zero value for the 91 minutes not sampled.    Note: Feasible engineering and work practice controls include:    1. Installation of local exhaust ventilation that is in proximity to all cutting and trimming operations.   2. Worker Rotation