OSHA Inspection: GREEN BLADES LLC

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,260 · Current $4,719 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(c)(1): For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer did not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.  a) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 800, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica. Feasible engineering controls include the use of a respirator when the saw is used for more than four hours and an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.  b) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 500i, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica. Feasible engineering controls include the use of a respirator when the saw is used for more than four hours and an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,260 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(d)(2)(i):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)(ii) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section:  a) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, Employees were dry cutting concrete containing 10% silica, with a Stihl TS 800 handheld, power, cut-off saw creating visible dust clouds. Feasible engineering controls include the use of an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.  b) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, Employees were dry cutting concrete containing 10% silica, with a Stihl TS 500i handheld, power, cut-off saw creating visible dust clouds. Feasible engineering controls include the use of an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(g)(1):The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:  a)  On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to respirable crystalline silica when dry cutting a concrete slab containing 10% silica, with handheld, power saws.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(g)(4): The employer did not designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan:  a)  On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were dry cutting concrete containing 10% silica, with handheld, power saws creating visible dust clouds. Feasible engineering controls include the use of an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.  NOTE: Abatement certification AND documentation are required for this item.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $4,719

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(f)(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 were feasible:  a) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when using a push broom to clean up the concrete dust containing 10% silica, created by the Stihl handheld power saws.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,260 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(i)(1): The employer did not ensure that each employee is trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and paragraph (i)(2) of this section:   a) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees dry cutting concrete containing 10% silica, were not trained in the health hazards of exposure to respirable crystalline silica

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(A-F) including: (A) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; (B) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica;  (C) Specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used (D) The contents of this section; (E) The identity of the competent person designated by the employer in accordance with paragraph (g)(4) of this section; and (F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (h) of this section.  a)  On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 800, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica.  b) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 500i, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Abate by

Apr 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.1153(i)(2)(ii):The employer did not make a copy of this section, 1926.1153(i)(2) employee information and training, readily available without cost to each employee covered by this section:  a) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 800, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica. Feasible engineering controls include the use of a respirator when the saw is used for more than four hours and an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.  b) On or about 11/21/2023 and at times prior thereto, employees were exposed to silica dust when operating a Stihl TS 500i, handheld power saw to cut through an approximately 4" thick concrete slab containing 10% silica. Feasible engineering controls include the use of a respirator when the saw is used for more than four hours and an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the saw blade.