OSHA Inspection: AIR COMFORT, INC.

Issued

Feb 2, 2021

Abate by

Mar 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $12,288 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1101(f)(1)(i):Where exposure monitoring was required under 29 CFR 1926.1101, the employer did not perform monitoring to determine accurately the airborne concentrations of asbestos to which employees were or potentially were exposed:  (a) Air Comfort, Inc. at 215 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, CO: On and around August 8, 2020, the exposing employer failed to provide a negative exposure assessment and did not perform monitoring to determine accurately the airborne concentrations of asbestos to which employees were exposed.  Employees were required to conduct Class I asbestos work, taking down and radiant heating tiles with ceiling insulation blankets, having  80% Chrysolite asbestos, but were not monitored for exposure to airborne concentrations of asbestos. This condition exposed employees to asbestos hazards.

Issued

Feb 2, 2021

Abate by

Mar 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1101(g)(4)(ii): For all Class I jobs involving the removal of more than 25 linear or 10 square feet of thermal system insulation or surfacing material; for all other Class I jobs, where the employer cannot produce a negative exposure assessment pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section, or where employees are working in areas adjacent to the regulated area, while the Class I work is being performed, the employer shall use one of the following methods to ensure that airborne asbestos does not migrate from the regulated area:  (a) Air Comfort, Inc. at 215 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, CO: On and around August 8, 2020, the exposing employer did not ensure that Class I asbestos work was performed using control methods, including critical barriers across all opening to regulated areas, additional barrier or isolation methods with perimeter area surveillance to prevent the migration of asbestos fiber, and impermeable drop cloths on surfaces or objects beneath all removal activity. Employees were required to conduct Class I asbestos work, taking down and cutting radiant ceiling heating tiles with ceiling insulation blankets, having  80% Chrysolite asbestos. This condition exposed employees to asbestos hazards.

Issued

Feb 2, 2021

Abate by

Mar 5, 2021

Penalty

Initial $12,288 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1101(h)(2)(i):The employer failed to implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(b) through (d) [except (d)(1)(iii)], and (f) through (m), which covers each employee required by 29 CFR 1926.1101 to use a respirator:  (a) Air Comfort, Inc. at 215 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, CO: On and around August 8, 2020, the exposing employer did not develop a written respiratory protection program, when employees were required by 29 CFR 1926.1101(h)(1)(i) to use a respirator. Employees were required to conduct Class I asbestos work, taking down radiant heating ceiling tiles with ceiling insulation blankets, having  80% Chrysolite asbestos, but the employer had only provided filtering faceplates for voluntary use by employees. The employer had not provided appropriate respirators for required use or had not developed, implemented, and maintained a written respirator program. This condition exposed employees to asbestos hazards.  Note: Requirements for selection of appropriate respirators for Class I asbestos work are listed in 29 CFR 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A) and 29 CFR 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(B).