OSHA Inspection: ELITE GRANITE TOPS LLC

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $1,755 · Current $1,755

Hazardous substances 9010

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not establish and implement a respiratory protection program for employees utilizing tight-fitting respirators while conducting granite countertop fabrication operations and installing operations.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(d)(1)(i):Selection of appropriate respirators was not based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which the worker was exposed and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability:  (a) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees conducting granite countertop manufacturing operations and installation operations were adequately protected from particulate hazards such as respirable crystalline silica by using tight fitting half-face respirators with particulate cartridges instead of organic vapor cartridges.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees utilizing tight-fitting respirators for conducting granite countertop fabrication operations and installing operations were medically evaluated prior to usage.   Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees wearing tight-fitting half face respirators did not have any facial hair that could come in contact between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet").

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(2)(i):Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or  were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  (a) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that tight fitting half-face respirators used during granite countertop manufacturing and installation operations were being stored away adequately to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1):The employer did not provide effective training to ensure that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of 1910.134(k)(1)(i) - (vii):  (a) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees wearing tight fitting half-face respirators to conduct granite countertop manufacturing and installation operations were trained on respirator use. Training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more often if necessary, and should cover topics such as but not limited  to:  a) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; b) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; c) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; d) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; e) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; and f) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6): The employer did not provide the basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, in written or oral format to employees who wear respirators when such use was not required by the employer:  (a) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not provide information found in Appendix D to employees who voluntarily wore respirators such as but not limited to 3M 502 Half-face Respirators.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $1,755 · Current $1,755

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not develop and implement a written hazard communication program which at least described how the criteria specified for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met, and which also included a hazardous chemicals list and methods used to inform employees of the hazards of non-routine tasks.  This exposed employees to hazardous chemical hazards such as but not limited to the following chemical: Acetone. This exposed employees to extremely flammable liquid and vapors, which may cause flash fires and affect the nervous system.	  The written program should include descriptions of the criteria for: 1.  Labeling and other forms of warning, 2.  Safety Data Sheets, and 3.  Employee information and training.  Additionally, a list of hazardous chemicals known to be present in the workplace must be compiled.  Methods used to inform employees of the hazards associated with non-routine tasks and to inform contractors of workplace hazards must be addressed.  The written program must be made available upon request.      Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(8):   The employer did not maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and did not ensure that they were readily accessible during each work  shift to employees when they were in their work area(s):  (a) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that copies of safety data sheets were maintained in the establishment for hazardous chemicals used during  granite countertop manufacturing and installation operations. Chemicals included acetone used for countertop cleaning. This exposed employees to extremely flammable liquid and vapors, which may cause flash fires and affect the nervous system.	  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not ensure that employees conducting granite countertop manufacturing and installation operations were properly trained on hazardous chemicals such as, but not limited to acetone. This exposed employees to extremely flammable liquid and vapors, which may cause flash fires and affect the nervous system.	  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")

Issued

Apr 23, 2021

Abate by

May 19, 2021

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9010

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) On or about February 5, 2021, and at times prior, the employer did not assess the exposure of employees who may have been exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level while conducting granite countertop manufacturing and installation operations. This condition potentially exposed employees to the physical hazards of respirable crystalline silica that may result in an increased risk of developing serious silica-related disease, including: Silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.  Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet")