OSHA Inspection: WESTERN SLATE COMPANY

Issued

Mar 24, 2023

Abate by

Jun 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,687 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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 November 17, 2022, employees were exposed to respiratory stressors associated with being allowed to voluntarily wear Mionyl Reusable Half-Face Cover with filters.  Employees are wearing the respirator to protect from exposure to crystalline silica when unloading the recently cut marinite pieces from the Shelling and Hendrix saw which contain silica.  The employees were not medically evaluated to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator before the employee is fit tested, or required to use the respirator in the workplace.    b.  On or about November 17, 2022, the employees were exposed to respiratory stressors associated with being allowed to voluntarily wear Mionyl Reusable Half Face Cover with filters.  Employees are wearing the respirator to protect from exposure to crystalline silica when cleaning the Torit Dust Collector (SN 4021471-1) which collects silica dust from both the Shelling and Hendrix Saws.  The employees have not been medically cleared to wear the respirator.      Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Mar 24, 2023

Abate by

Jun 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $4,687 · Current $2,500 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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 November 17, 2022, the employer exposed their employees to respiratory hazards such as crystalline silica when unloading the recently cut Marinite pieces which contain silica from the Shelling and Hendrix saw.  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.  The employer did not include and discuss respirable crystalline silica in the hazard communication program.    b.  On or about November 17, 2022, the employer exposed their employees to respiratory hazards such as crystalline silica when cleaning the Torit Dust Collector (SN 4021471-1) which collects silica dust from both the Shelling and Hendrix Saws.  The employer did not develop, implement, and maintain at each workplace, a written hazard communication program which at least describes how the criteria specified in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this section for labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and employee information and training will be met.  The employer did not include and discuss respirable crystalline silica in the hazard communication program.    Abatement documentation  is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).

Issued

Mar 24, 2023

Abate by

Jun 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

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 November 17, 2022, the employer exposed their employees to respiratory hazards such as crystalline silica when unloading the recently cut Marinite pieces which contain silica from the Shelling and Hendrix saw.  The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the hazard communication program and did not ensure that employees were trained on the following hazards:  cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.   b.  On or about November 17, 2022, the employer exposed their employees to respiratory hazards such as crystalline silica when cleaning the Torit Dust Collector (SN 4021471-1) which collects silica dust from both the Shelling and Hendrix Saws.  The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the hazard communication program and did not ensure that the employees were trained on the following hazards:  cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.  Abatement certification is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).

Issued

Mar 24, 2023

Abate by

May 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(6):The basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in Appendix D of this section, shall be provided by the employer in any written or oral format, to employees who wear respirators when such use is not required by this section or by the employer.  a. On or about November 17, 2022, employees were exposed to respiratory stressors associated with being allowed to voluntarily wear Mionyl Reusable Half Face Cover with filters. Employees are allowed to wear the respirator to protect from exposure to crystalline silica when unloading the recently cut marinite pieces from the Shelling and Hendrix saw which contain silica. The employees had not been provided with the Appendix D before wearing the tight fitting respirator.    b. On or about November 17, 2022, the employees were exposed to respiratory stressors associated with being allowed to wear Mionyl Reusable Half Face Cover with filters. Employees are allowed to wear the respirator to protect from exposure to crystalline silica when cleaning the Torit Dust Collector (SN 4021471-1) which collects silica dust from both the Shelling and Hendrix Saws. The employees had not been provided with the Appendix D before wearing the tight fitting respirator.    Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).