OSHA Inspection: SOSA'S CUSTOM GRANITE

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2): The floor of a workroom was not maintained in a clean condition.    (a) Fabrication Area, elevated concrete flooring and other production materials and tools exposed employees to trip hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.28(b)(3)(ii): Each employee was not protected from tripping into or stepping into or through any hole that was less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above a lower level by covers or guardrail systems:    (a) On or about January 18, 2019 and times prior thereto an employee was exposed to trip and fall hazards from a hole in the ground;     (b) Granite Cutting Saw Area, employees were exposed to a trip and fall hazards from a hole in the ground.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":    (a) In the Fabrication Area, the exit route was not cleared marked. Employees were exposed to fire entrapment hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2842.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

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:    The employer did not administer a hearing conservation program for employees, who worked in the fabrication area, and were exposed to noise that had exceeded an 8-hour TWA of 85 dBA, based on an 80 dB threshold:     (a) An employee operating a portable hand grinder was exposed to continuous noise levels at 69.5% of the permissible 8-hour time weighted average (TWA). The equivalent level of 69.5% is approximately 87.3 dBA. Sampling was performed for 233 minutes during one shift. Zero exposure was assumed for the 247 minutes not sampled.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(i): Adequate precautions were not taken to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors:    (a) In the Fabrication Area, employees were working and handling flammable chemicals while smoking and utilizing open flamed charcoal grills. Employees were exposed to flammability and fire hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.106(f)(6): "No Smoking" signs were not conspicuously posted where hazard from flammable liquid vapors is normally present:   (a) In the Fabrication Area, employees were working and handling flammable chemicals while smoking and utilizing open flamed charcoal grills. Employees were exposed to flammability and fire hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

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) The employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program for employees utilizing a half mask negative pressure respirators. Employees used these respirators for protection against respirable crystalline silica dust when performing grinding and cutting activities.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:  (a) The employer did not provide a medical evaluation for employee(s) who were required to wear a half mask negative pressure respirator. Employee(s) used this respirator for protection against respirable crystalline silica dust.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(f)(2): Employee(s) using tight-fitting facepiece respirators were not fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator:  (a) The employer did not provide a fit test for employee(s) who were required to wear a half mask negative pressure respirator. Employee(s) used this respirator for protection against respirable crystalline silica dust.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Respirators with tight-fitting facepieces were worn by employees who had facial hair that came between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interfered with valve function:   (a) In the Fabrication Area , an employee was using a respirator, such as but not limited to, a half mask negative pressure respirator.  An employee used this respirator for protection against respirable crystalline silica dust.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $1705.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.141(c)(1)(i): Toilet facilities were not provided in accordance with TABLE J-1 of this Section:    (a) Throughout the establishment,  no toilet facilities were provided to employees.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(5): Fan blade guard(s) were not provided where the periphery of the blades was less than seven feet from the floor or working level:    (a) In the Fabrication Area, employees utilized an unguarded box fan, exposing employees to amputation hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1): Abrasive wheel(s) were used on portable grinder(s) which were not provided with safety guard(s) meeting the requirements specified in 29 CFR 1910.243(c)(1) through (c)(4):    (a) In the Fabrication Area, employees were exposed to amputation hazards while working with portable hand grinders.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2842.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.303(c)(3)(i): All splices and joints and the free ends of the conductors were not covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose:    (a) Fabrication area, conductors from Black box air blower were not covered with equivalent insulation after being spliced. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards.    (b) Fabrication area, conductors on the orange and black extension cords were not covered with equivalent insulation after being spliced. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.304(g)(5): The path to ground from circuits, equipment, and enclosures was not permanent, continuous, and effective:    (a) In the Fabrication Area employees utilized an extension cord connected to high velocity drum fan with a missing grounding prong. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.305(b)(2)(i): Pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings were not provided with covers approved for the purpose:    (a) Fabrication  area, a drop down junction box was not provided with a cover. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards.    (b) Fabrication area, a junction box was not provided with a cover. Employees were exposed to electrical hazards.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(c): The employer did not ensure that no employee was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 ug/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:     (a)  A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 3.78 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 233 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 247 minutes;     (b) A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 1.35 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 180 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 300 minutes.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-09-16 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1): 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)  A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 3.78 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 233 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 247 minutes;   (b) A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 1.35 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 180 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 300 minutes.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(2)(i): The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:   (a) The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control program outlining the specific engineering and work practice controls to be implemented to reduce employee respirable crystalline silica exposures  to below the permissible exposure (PEL). A written plan shall include at the least the requirements set forth in sections 29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(2)(i)(A)-(C).

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(i)(1)(i): The employer did not make medical surveillance available at no cost to each employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who has been occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year:     (a) The employer did not institute a medical surveillance program for all employee(s) who were exposed respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 days per year. Personal air monitoring indicated that four employees were exposed to airborne respirable crystalline silica concentrations which exceeded the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Employees were assigned duties such as but not limited to operating chop saws and portable hand grinders.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(d)(1): 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) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3) of this section:    (a) The employer not determine if any portable hand grinder employees may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level. Portable hand grinder employees were assigned to perform grinding operations on marble and quartz countertops. Personal air monitoring indicated that employee(s) were exposed to airborne crystalline silica concentrations of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, which exceeded the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air  by approximately 3.78 and 1.35 times respectively.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3978.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(e)(1): The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica was, or could have been reasonably expected to be, in excess of the PEL:     (a) The employer did not establish a regulated area for employee(s) exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). Personal air monitoring conducted at the workplace showed that employee(s) were exposed to airborne concentrations of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the PEL of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air by 3.786 and 1.35 times respectively. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Employee(s) were assigned duties such as but not limited to grinding and cutting granite countertops.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(2): The employer did not post signs at all entrances to regulated areas that bear the following legend: DANGER, RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA, MAY CAUSE CANCER, CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS, WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY:     (a) The employer not post the following warning signs DANGER- RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA-MAY CAUSE CANCER-CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS- WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA- AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY, at the entrance of the Fabrication Area where the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) were exceeded. Personal air monitoring conducted at the workplace showed that employee(s) were exposed to airborne concentrations of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the PEL of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air by 3.786 and 1.35 times respectively. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2273.00 · Current $1000.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(1): The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200):      (a) The employer did not assure that employee(s) with airborne exposures to respirable crystalline silica in excess of the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) received trained in accordance to the requirements listed in sections 1910.1053(j)(3)(i)(A) -(E). Employees were assigned duties such as but not limited to operating portable hand grinders.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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:  (a) Throughout the establishment, the employer had not developed, implemented, and maintained a written hazard communication program for employees  performing granite countertop manufacturing operations who were exposed to hazardous chemicals including, but not limited to, respirable crystalline silica dust, Gran Quartz- Transport Knife Grade, Lacquer Thinner, Buckley RS Thinner, and IFS Dura Pro Polymer which can result in silicosis, lung cancer, COPD, flammability hazards, skin burns, serious eye damage, eye and skin irritation.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i): The written hazard communication program did not include a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using an identity that was referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet:  (a) Throughout the establishment employees utilized the following chemicals: respirable crystalline silica dust, Gran Quartz- Transport Knife Grade, Lacquer Thinner, Buckley RS Thinner, and IFS Dura Pro Polymer.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1): The employer did not have a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in use:  The employer did not ensure that a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in the workplace was available in the workplace. The employer did not have safety data  sheet documents to which employees were exposed to including but not limited to:   (a) Granite and quartz countertops  (contains respirable crystalline silica); (b) Gran Quartz- Transport Knife Grade (contains; styrene; amorphous fumed silica) (c) Lacquer Thinner (contains acetone; light aliphatic solvent naptha; toluene; methanol; acetic acid; ethanol, 2-butoxy; acetic acid; ethanol, 2-butoxy; 4-chlorobenzotrifluoride; ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate; stoddard solvent); (d) Buckley RS Thinner (contains; toluene; methyl isobutyl ketone; xylene; isopropyl alcohol; light hydrotreated distillate; diacetone alcohol; methyl ethyl ketone; and ethyl acetate); (e) IFS Dura Pro Polymer (contains; associated flammable chemicals).  These chemicals were used during the granite countertop manufacturing process.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

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) In the fabrication area, employees were not trained on the specific health hazards of respirable crystalline silica dust, Gran Quartz- Transport Knife Grade, Lacquer Thinner, Buckley RS Thinner, and IFS Dura Pro Polymer.

Issued

2019-05-03 00:00:00

Abate by

2019-05-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $319.00 · Current $0.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1903.2(a)(1): The employer did not ensure that a notice describing employee rights under the OSH Act was posted in a conspicuous place:    (a) Throughout the establishment, employees did not have access to a notice describing employees right under the OSH Act.