OSHA Inspection: STEEN & BERG, INC.

Issued

May 27, 2020

Abate by

Jul 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $3,856 · Current $2,314 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(c): The employer did not develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use:  (a) 810 20th Street North in Fargo, North Dakota:  On or about January 15, 2020 and dates prior, the employer did not develop and implement a respiratory protection program.  Employees were engaged in auto body repair and painting activities while using 3M 5000 series half face respirators and SATA full face supplied air respirators without being medically evaluated and/or fit tested prior to use.  This condition exposed employees to potential health hazards.  Abatement Note:    A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements:    1.  Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of respirators shall be established.    2.  Only approved respirators shall be used.  Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed.    3.  Respirators must be provided free-of-charge where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    4.  Employers must provide (free-of-charge) a medical evaluation to determine    each employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use.    5.  Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA or where the employer requires the use of such a respirator.    6.  The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations.    7.  Surveillance of work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress shall be conducted.    8.  Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees.    9.  Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary condition.    10.  Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and contamination.    11.  Respirators shall be inspected during cleaning and repaired when necessary.    12.  There shall be regular inspection and evaluation to determine the continued effectiveness of the program.    13.  Compressed breathing air must meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air.    14.  The employer must establish and retain medical evaluations and fit-testing records.

Issued

May 27, 2020

Abate by

Jul 1, 2020

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) 810 20th Street North in Fargo, North Dakota:  On or about January 15, 2020 and dates prior, the employer did not develop and implement a hazard communication program.  Employees were engaged in auto body repair and painting activities while using hazardous substances including but not limited to automotive paints and solvents.  This condition exposed employees to potential health hazards.