OSHA Inspection: H.W. HOUSTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC

Issued

Nov 19, 2018

Abate by

Dec 7, 2018

Penalty

Initial $9,054 · Current $9,054

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(a): Employee(s) were exposed to material(s) at concentrations above those specified in the Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:    On or about July 31, 2018, as the general contractor H.W. Houston Construction, LLC, did not ensure that subcontractor employees engaged in concrete floor cutting operations were not exposed to carbon monoxide produced by a dual-powered, gasoline and propane, Diamond Products Concrete Saw, model no. CC2500, serial no. 147801. These employees became ill with symptoms of headaches, severe weakness, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which are characteristics of carbon monoxide poisoning. Two employees were subsequently taken to a local hospital and were diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. Based on the blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels of these employees, OSHA has determined that their exposure exceeded the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) for carbon monoxide.    (a) Guadalupe Hernandez, Laborer/Crew Lead/Foreman, T & S Excavating, Inc. (Employee "A" (Sample S21860)) was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 160 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 433.9 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.127). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 35.3%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 144.6 ppm CO (SAE = 0.125), which is 2.89 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.     (b) Colin Knight, Laborer, T & S Excavating, Inc. (Employee "B" (Sample S21861)) was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 160 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 481.4 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.111). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 36.4%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 160.5 ppm CO (SAE = 0.114), which is 3.21 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.     Abatement note: Abatement certification is required for this item (See Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).

Issued

Nov 19, 2018

Abate by

Nov 30, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances C730

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure(s):    On or about July 31, 2018, the general contractor H.W. Houston Construction, LLC, did not ensure that feasible administrative or engineering controls were used while subcontractor employees were engaged in concrete floor cutting with a dual-powered, gasoline and propane, Diamond Products Concrete Saw, model no. CC2500, serial no. 147801. These employees became ill with symptoms of headaches, severe weakness, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which are characteristics of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Two employees were subsequently taken to a local hospital and were diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.    (a) Guadalupe Hernandez, Laborer/Crew Lead/Foreman, T & S Excavating, Inc. (Employee "A" (Sample S21860)) was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 160 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 433.9 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.127). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 35.3%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 144.6 ppm CO (SAE = 0.125), which is 2.89 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.     (b) Colin Knight, Laborer, T & S Excavating, Inc. (Employee "B" (Sample S21861)) was exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) during a 160 minute occupational exposure at a mean calculated 481.4 ppm CO level (SAE = 0.111). The %COHb in the employee's blood reached a calculated peak level of 36.4%. Atmospheric pressure, height, weight, activity levels, tobacco smoking behavior, and other factors were taken into account. The 8-hour TWA exposure was 160.5 ppm CO (SAE = 0.114), which is 3.21 times the OSHA PEL of 50 ppm CO.     Abatement note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).