OSHA Inspection: KB SURFACES LLC

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,448 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 1910.9(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) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  The following employees were exposed to noise in excess of the OSHA Action Level and were not included in an effective Hearing Conservation Program:       1) On 8-24-17 an employee performing fabrication finishing and polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 88.3 dBA for 492 minutes for a dose of 81.4 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.      2) On 8-24-17 an employee performing polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 93.8 dBA for 461 minutes for a dose of 161.2 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.      3) On 8-24-17 an employee performing fabrication finishing and polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 94.6 dBA for 486 minutes for a dose of 191 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.      4) On 8-24-17 an employee performing polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 90.2 dBA for 466 minutes for a dose of 99.9 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.      5) On 8-24-17 an employee performing polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 87.1 dBA for 500 minutes for a dose of 69.9 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.      6) On 8-24-17 an employee performing fabrication finishing and polishing work in this area was exposed to noise levels in excess of the OSHA Action Level of 85 dBA for an eight hour time weighted average.  This employee was exposed to noise levels of 91.6 dBA for 441 minutes for a dose of 115 % which is in excess of the allowable 50% dose. Zero exposure was assumed for any unsampled time.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:    a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 7-28-17 when information had indicated that an employee's exposure equaled or exceeded the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer had not developed and implemented a noise level monitoring program.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-24-17 the employer did not make audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equaled or exceeded an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-24-17 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).

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,448 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(d)(2)(i): Approved containers and portable tanks were not used to store flammable or combustible liquids:    a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-24-17 approved containers were not used to store flammable liquids such as acetone and Ager.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jun 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(c): Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8 °C), were used where there were open flames or other sources of ignition within the possible path of vapor travel:  a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8/24/17, category 3 flammable liquids (three 5 gallon containers of GranQuartz Recon Polyester Adhesive), with a flashpoint of 88 degrees F, were located adjacent to an active grinding operation where sparks were being generated.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $3,622 · Current $1,811 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.242(a): Hand and portable powered tools or equipment were not kept in safe condition:    a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas: On or about 8/24/17:    1)  A hand held grinder was in operation cutting stone with a cutting blade and no guard.    2) A hand held grinder was in operation as a bench top grinder to sharpen a tool with an abrasive grinding wheel and no guard.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $4,346 · Current $2,173 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(1): Electrical equipment was not free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:    a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8/24/17 the following was observed:    1. An electrical extension cord powering a floor fan had breaks in the outer jacket exposing electrical conductors,     2. An electrical extension cord powering a circular saw had breaks in the outer jacket exposing electrical conductors.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(b)(2): Listed or labeled electrical equipment was not used or installed in accordance with instructions included in the listing or labeling:  a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-24-17 the employer had not ensured that electrical equipment was being used in accordance with instructions included on the equipment listing in that electrical extension cords were powering various power strips.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Jan 9, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Flexible cords and/ or cables were used for purposes prohibited by paragraphs (A) through (F) of 29 CFR 1910.305(g)(1)(iv):  a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas: On or about 8/24/17, extension cords were used in lieu of permanent wiring to power the following:  1. Floor fan adjacent to dust collection booth, 2. Power strip at work bench in dust collection booth.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $2,897 · Current $1,449 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1): Employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii):     (a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-28-17 the employer had not developed or implemented a written hazard communication program.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(5): The employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity and appropriate hazard warnings regarding the chemicals contained therein:  (a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas: On or about 8-24-17 the employer did not ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace was labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity and appropriate hazard warnings regarding the chemicals contained in them.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Mar 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 8-24-17 the employer had not provided effective information and training to employees 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.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Sep 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(2)(ii): The employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user:  a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  On or about 7/28/17, the employer did not establish and implement those elements of a written program necessary to ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily was medically able to use that respirator, and that the respirator was cleaned, stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Sep 3, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:  a) Stone slab fabrication finishing and polishing areas: On or about 7/28/17, the employer did not identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazards, such as dust.

Issued

Jan 2, 2018

Abate by

Feb 5, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i): Places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed:  a) Stone slab machining and fabrication finishing and polishing areas:  The employer did not maintain the floors, equipment, shelving and dust collection systems free of excessive stone dust accumulation and debris.