OSHA Inspection: HARD ROCK STONE & TILE, LLC

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $3,984 · Current $3,984

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.178(a)(4):Modifications and additions which affect capacity and safe operation of powered industrial truck were performed by the employer without the manufacturer's prior written approval:  a) Yard area and Fabrication area: On or about June 20, 2023, and times prior thereto; the employer exposed employees to crush-by and struck-by hazards in that employees were allowed to operate forklifts with attachments that had not been approved for use by the manufacturer of the powered industrial truck to move slabs of stone.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,641 · Current $6,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(c):The employer did not ensure that no employee was exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 mcg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:  a) Stone cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica at 69.76 mcg/m3 which is approximately 1.395 times the Permissible exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 mcg/m3. Results were based on a 351-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 129-minute period not sampled.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Dry cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023 and times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to dust containing crystalline silica without  assessing 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 the standard.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(1):The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible:  a) Dry cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and times prior the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica at 69.76 mcg/m3 which is approximately 1.395 times the Permissible exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 mcg/m3. Results were based on a 351-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 129-minute period not sampled. The employer did not use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,641 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(i)(1)(i):The employer did not make medical surveillance available at no cost to each employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who has been occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year:  a) Dry cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not make medical surveillance available at no cost to each employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who has been occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year. An employee was exposed to respirable crystalline silica hazards at 69.7 micrograms per cubic meter which is approximately 2.7 times above the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter. Results were based on a 351-minute sampling period conducted. Exposure calculations include a zero increment for the 129-minute period not sampled.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Oct 30, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(e)(2)(ii):The employer failed to post signs at all entrances to regulated areas:  a) Dry cutting area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica hazards by failing to post signs at all entrances to regulated areas.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(j)(2):The employer did not post signs at all entrances to regulated areas that bear the following legend:  DANGER RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA  MAY CAUSE CANCER  CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS  WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA  AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY  a) Dry cutting area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica hazards by failing to post signs at all entrances to regulated areas.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(j)(3)(ii):The employer did not make a copy of this section readily available without cost to each employee covered by this section:  a) Cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto, the employer exposed employees to respirable crystalline silica hazards when cutting and polishing stones. The employer did not provide exposed employees with a copy of the respirable crystalline silica standard.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $6,641 · Current $6,641

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(g)(2):Where respirator use was required by this section, the employer did not institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134:  a) Cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto; the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards in that employees with facial hair were allowed to wear half facepiece tight-fitting respirators when cutting and polishing stones.

Issued

Oct 20, 2023

Abate by

Nov 1, 2023

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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) Cutting and polishing area: On or about June 21, 2023, and at times prior thereto the employer exposed employees to respiratory hazards in that employees with facial hair were allowed to wear half facepiece tight-fitting respirators when cutting and polishing stones.