OSHA Inspection: VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC.

Issued

Sep 28, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $15,625 · Current $15,625

Hazardous substances 9130

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.94(a)(3)(i): Blast cleaning enclosures were not exhaust ventilated in such a way continuous inward flow of air will be maintained at all openings during the blasting operation:   Employees engaged in abrasive blasting activities in the blast booth of the facility were exposed health hazards when exposure levels exceeded the eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated (PNOR), Respirable Fraction, and action level (AL) for airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS). The employer had not provided exhaust ventilation in the blast cleaning enclosure.

Issued

Sep 28, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $11,162 · Current $11,162

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(h)(1): The employer allowed dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica and wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure were feasible:  Employee(s) conducting housekeeping activities, dry sweeping aluminum oxide dust, in the blast booth of the facility were exposed to silica hazards. Employee(s) utilize a broom to sweep dust and excess media following abrasive blasting activities. The employer failed to implement engineering and work practice controls to prevent airborne exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust when performing housekeeping activities.

Issued

Sep 28, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $1,253 · Current $627 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(e)(2)(ii): The employer failed to post signs at all entrances to regulated areas:  Employee(s) engaged in abrasive blasting activities in the blast booth of the facility were exposed to health hazards when exposure levels exceeded the eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) action level (AL) for airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS) of 25 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The employer failed to post signs at all entrances to the blast booth, or regulated area(s), where airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica is, or can reasonably be expected to be, in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS).  1) Employee #1 (blaster) performed blasting operations on metal parts utilizing a brown fused aluminum oxide media and was exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) at 2.3 times the Action Level (AL). The employee's  eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure was 56.8 mg/m3.  2) Employee #2 (roller) assisted the blaster where blasting operations on metal parts utilizing a brown fused aluminum oxide media was conducted and was exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) at 1.6 times the Action Level (AL). The employee's eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure was 40.6 mg/m3.

Issued

Sep 28, 2023

Abate by

Oct 25, 2023

Penalty

Initial $1,253 · Current $627 Reduced

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:  Employee(s) engaged in abrasive blasting activities in the blast booth of the facility were exposed to health hazards when exposure levels exceeded the eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) action level (AL) for airborne respirable crystalline silica (RCS) of 25 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). The employer had not developed and implemented a written silica exposure control plan.  1) Employee #1 (blaster) performed blasting operations on metal parts utilizing a brown fused aluminum oxide media and was exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) at 2.3 times the Action Level (AL). The employee's  eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure was 56.8 mg/m3.  2) Employee #2 (roller) assisted the blaster where blasting operations on metal parts utilizing a brown fused aluminum oxide media was conducted and was exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) at 1.6 times the Action Level (AL). The employee's eight-hour time-weighted average (8-hour TWA) exposure was 40.6 mg/m3.