OSHA Inspection: BOND INTERIOR GRANITE, LLC

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $1,363 · Current $817 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - In the production area, the back exit door was damaged and could not be opened, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.36(h)(3): The outdoor exit route must be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - In the production area, the route through the back exit door had uneven wood planks and stones creating a tripping  hazard, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - In the production area, stone slabs and material were obstructing the back emergency exit door, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to noise ranging between 89-94.8 dBA. A noise monitoring program was not developed, on or about 10/18/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Feb 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  a) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 94.8 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 325 minutes which represented the employee's workday. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 10/18/2016.  b) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 90 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 326 minutes which represented the employee's workday. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 10/18/2016.  c) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 89.4 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 325 minutes which represented the employee's workday. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 10/18/2016.  d) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 89.1 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 228 minutes which represented the employee's workday. A noise training program was not instituted, on or about 10/18/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Jan 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(1): The employer did not establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided by 29 CFR 1910.95(g) by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels:  a) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 94.8 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 325 minutes which represented the employee's workday. An audiometric testing program was not developed, on or about 10/18/2016.  b) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 90 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 326 minutes which represented the employee's workday. An audiometric testing program was not developed, on or about 10/18/2016.  c) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 89.4 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 325 minutes which represented the employee's workday. An audiometric testing program was not developed, on or about 10/18/2016.  d) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee fabricating granite countertops was exposed to noise level of 89.1 dBA which exceeded the action level of 85 dBA. The exposure was derived from a sample taken over 228 minutes which represented the employee's workday. An audiometric testing program was not developed, on or about 10/18/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Feb 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 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:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were provided and required to use half mask, tight fitting respirators for protection against dust. A written respiratory protection program was not developed and implemented, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Feb 17, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1000 TABLE Z-3: 29 CFR 1910.1000(c): Employees were exposed to Crystalline Silica Quartz listed in Table Z-3, in excess of as an 8 hour Time Weighted Average concentration:    a) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 0.448 mg/m3, 1.6 times the PEL of 0.286 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes, on or about 10/18/16.  b) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 0.668 mg/m3, 2 times the PEL of 0.323 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes, on or about 10/18/16.  c) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 1.127 mg/m3, 2.9 times the PEL of 0.385 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes, on or about 10/18/16.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Jul 5, 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) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 0.448 mg/m3, 1.6 times the PEL of 0.286 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes. Feasible administrative and effective engineering controls were not implemented to control exposure to crystalline silica quartz, on or about 10/18/16.  b) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 0.668 mg/m3, 2 times the PEL of 0.323 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes. Feasible administrative and effective engineering controls were not implemented to control exposure to crystalline silica quartz, on or about 10/18/16.  c) Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to crystalline silica quartz at a time weighted Average (TWA) of 1.127 mg/m3, 2.9 times the PEL of 0.385 mg/m3. The exposure was derived by a sample taken over  minutes. Zero was assumed for the unsampled period of  minutes.  Feasible administrative and effective engineering controls were not implemented to control exposure to crystalline silica quartz , on or about 10/18/16.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Mar 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 Reduced

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:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were provided and required to use half mask, tight fitting respirators for protection against dust. Medical evaluations were not performed, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Mar 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

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):  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were provided and required to use half mask, tight fitting respirators for protection against dust. Fit testing was not conducted, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Mar 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): The employer did not provide respirator training that ensured that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of at least the following elements: Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator, and how to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were provided and required to use half mask, tight fitting respirators for protection against dust. Training required by the standard was not conducted, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Feb 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,603 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point(s) of operation of machinery were not guarded to prevent employee(s) from having any part of their body in the danger zone(s) during operating cycle(s):  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - An employee operating the Phoenix II Diaco Bridge Saw was exposed to an amputation hazard while holding a piece of granite in the machine near the blade, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Feb 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $1,087

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): Unused openings in boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not effectively closed:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - In the production area, the breaker cabinet had two openings that were not closed exposing employees to electrical hazards, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(i): Flexible cords and cables were not approved for conditions of use and location:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - In the production area, employees were using manual grinders and buffers that used water. The flexible cords were not suitable to be used in wet conditions, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Jan 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $2,672 · Current $1,601 Reduced

Hazardous substances 90109015

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): The employer did not develop, implement, and/or maintain at the workplace a written hazard communication program which describes how the criteria specified in 29 CFR 1910.1200(f), (g), and (h) will be met:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to silica dust. A written hazard communication program was not developed and implemented, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Jan 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 90109015

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s)  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to silica dust. Safety Data Sheets were not maintained, on or about 10/13/2016.

Issued

Dec 30, 2016

Abate by

Jan 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 90109015

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:  Bond Interior Granite, LLC, Elberton, GA - Employees grinding and buffing granite countertops were exposed to silica dust. Information and training as required by the hazard communication standard was not provided, on or about 10/13/2016.