OSHA Inspection: KNIFE RIVER CORPORATION - NORTHWEST

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $12,934 · Current $12,934

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1): For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer did not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done without adequate dust controls.  Dust was being generated by the Cat drivable milling machinery, #1211807.  The cab was open metal mesh and the operator was engulfed in a cloud of dust containing approximately 20% silica.   Supplemental water sprays designed to suppress dust, were not being used to minimize dust emissions.  Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Abate by

Oct 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(2)(i): The employer did not assess the exposure of each employee who was or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section:  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done without adequate dust controls.  Employees were being exposed to dust (approximately 20% silica) was being generated by the Cat drivable milling machinery, #1211807.  Air monitoring and/or objective data was not provided to show the concentration of dust was below the permissible exposure limit.  (b)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road and sidewalk cleaning was being done using a commercial grade backpack blower without adequate dust controls.  Employees were being exposed to dust was being generated by the blowing of dust containing approximately 20% silica.  Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(3)(i): The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road and sidewalk cleaning was being done using a commercial grade backpack blower without adequate dust controls.  Employees were being exposed to dust was being generated by the blowing of dust containing approximately 20% silica.  Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Abate by

Oct 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(e)(1)(ii): Respiratory protection was not provided for tasks not listed in Table 1, or where the employer did not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection described in Table 1:  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done without adequate dust controls.  Employees were being exposed to dust containing approximately 20% silica.  Silica containing dust was being generated by the Cat drivable milling machinery, #1211807 and a commercial grade backpack blower.  Water sprays designed to suppress dust were not being used to minimize dust emissions. Respiratory protection was required when dust controls were not being used.    Note:  Employees with full beards would not be able to be fit tested to wear respiratory protection.  Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Abate by

Oct 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1)(i): The exposure control plan did not contain a description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica:  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done without adequate dust controls.  Dust was being generated by the Cat drivable milling machinery, #1211807.  The exposure control plan did not identify this task, equipment, and control measures.    (b)   Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done and a commercial backpack blower being used to prepare the surface for paving.  The exposure control plan did not identify this task, equipment, and control measures.     Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Oct 4, 2018

Abate by

Oct 31, 2018

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(A-C): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least: (A) the health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; (B) specific tasks that could result in exposure to silica; and (C) specific measures to protect employees from exposure to respirable silica:  (a)  Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done without adequate dust controls.  Dust was being generated by the Cat drivable milling machinery, #1211807.   The clouds of dust contained approximately 20% silica.  (b)   Emerald Street (between Latah and Balsam Streets), on or about August 23, 2018, and at times prior thereto, road milling work was being done and a commercial backpack blower being used to prepare the surface for paving.  The clouds of dust contained approximately 20% silica.    Note:  Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item.