OSHA Inspection: HASTONE CABINETRY AND COUNTERTOPS

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(c)(1):The employer did not administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program as described in 29 CFR 1910.9(c) through (o) whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels measured on the A scale, or equivalently a dose of fifty percent:  Fabrication Shop: On or about April 19, 2024, an employee was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average noise level of 91.4 dBA (equivalently a dose of 122%) in excess of the 85 dBA action level (equivalently a dose of 50%) while polishing and cutting Quartz countertop slabs.  A hearing conservation program was not fully implemented including monitoring, annual audiometric testing program, noise training, and the posting of the noise standard 1910.95.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,765 · Current $1,000 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:  Fabrication Shop: Medical surveillance was not made available to employees where Quartz countertop fabrication exposed them to respirable crystalline silica in excess of the 25 ug/m3 Action Level.  On April 19, 2024, an employee was exposed to 37.5 ug/mg of respirable crystalline silica for an 8-hour time weighted average in excess of the 25 ug/m3 8-hour time weighted average action level.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,074 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(2)(i):The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:  Fabrication Shop: A written exposure control plan was not developed and implemented where Quartz counter top fabrication, exposed employees to crystalline silica in excess of the 25 ug/m3 action level.   On April 19, 2024, an employee was exposed to 37.5 ug/mg as an 8-hour time weighted average in excess of the 25 ug/m3 8-hour time weighted average action level.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $2,074 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(1): The employer did not include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200):  Shop: Respirable crystalline silica was not part of a hazard communication program and hazard communication training where quartz slabs were cut and polished exposing employees to silica dust in excess of the 25ug/m3 action level.    On April 19, 2024, an employee was exposed to 37.5 ug/mg respirable crystalline silica as an 8-hour time weighted average in excess of the 25 ug/m3 8-hour time weighted average action Level.  NOTE: Employer shall ensure each employee covered by this section was provided information and training on the health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica; the contents of this 1910.1053; and the purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (i) of this section 1910.1053.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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)labeling (g) safety data sheets, and (h) information and training will be met:  Fabrication Shop: A written hazard communication program had not been maintained and implemented where glues, solvents, and propane were used and where crystalline silica dust was created during cutting and polishing of quartz stone slabs.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

Abate by

Sep 12, 2024

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:  Fabrication Shop: Employees were not provided the required Hazard Communication training where chemical products were used and silica dust was created during cutting and polishing of quartz stone slabs.  NOTE: Information and training provided to employees shall include:  ? The general requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard. ? Where hazardous chemicals are located in their work areas. ? Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area.  ? The physical and health hazards of the chemicals in the work area; ? The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards. ? The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labels and SDS.

Issued

Jun 10, 2024

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:  Fabrication Shop: Air monitoring for respirable crystalline silica exposure was not conducted, where employees cut and polished quartz stone products containing crystalline silica.