OSHA Inspection: QUARRYCUT INC.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(a)(2): The employer did not ensure that the floor of each workroom is maintained in a clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. The employer did not ensure that when wet processes are used, drainage is be maintained and, to the extent feasible, dry standing places, such as false floors, platforms, and mats are provided.  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the floor in the facility was kept clean and, to the extent feasible, in a dry condition. Pooling water was observed on the floor inside the facility.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(b)(1): When employees were subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible engineering controls were not utilized:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not implement feasible administrative and/or engineering controls to reduce noise levels listed in Table G-16 of this standard for employees performing stone cutting operations. Employees conducting stone cutting operations were exposed to continuous noise levels that were equivalent to 232% and 266.9% of the allowable 50% dose for an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA). These exposures were equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 96 dBA and 97 dBA respectively. Sampling times were 381 and 369 respectively.  Zero exposures were assumed for all unsampled time periods.  Violation noted on/about April 16, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8110

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(d)(1): When information indicated that any employee's exposure equaled or exceed the 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer did not develop and implement a monitoring program:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not implement a monitoring program for employees who are exposed to noise levels above the 8-hour TWA of 85 dBa. Employees conducting stone cutting operations were exposed to continuous noise levels that were equivalent to 232% and 266.9% of the allowable 50% dose for an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA). These exposures were equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 96 dBA and 97 dBA respectively. Sampling times were 381 and 369 respectively.  Zero exposures were assumed for all unsampled time periods.  Violations noted on/about April 16, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $5,071 · Current $3,296 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(7)(iii): The audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician did not review problem audiograms and did not determine whether there is a need for further evaluation:   (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not ensure that an audiologist determine whether a further evaluation is need when employees suffered a standard threshold shift. An employee who suffered a standard threshold shift did not receive further evaluation.    Condition noted on or about August 20, 2024.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Oct 29, 2024

Penalty

Initial $5,071 · Current $3,296 Reduced

Hazardous substances 81108111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B): Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer did not ensure, when a standard threshold shift occurs, that for employees already using hearing protectors, employees be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not ensure that employees suffering a standard threshold shift were refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protection.  An employee who suffered a standard threshold shift was not retrained and was not provided with hearing protectors that offered greater attenuation after suffered a standard threshold shift.   Condition noted on or about August 20, 2024.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8111

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.95(k)(1): The employer did not train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.95(k). The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457:  Employees conducting stone cutting operations were exposed to continuous noise levels that were equivalent to 232% and 266.9% of the allowable 50% dose for an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA). These exposures were equivalent to an 8-hour TWA of 96 dBA and 97 dBA respectively. Sampling times were 381 and 369 respectively.  Zero exposures were assumed for all unsampled time periods. The employer did not ensure employees at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels are provided with noise training.   Violation noted April 16, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Sep 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(h)(2)(i): Respirators were not stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals or were not packed or stored to prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that employees respirators such as but not limited to Honeywell North 5500 and 7700 series half-face respirators. were properly stored to protect them from contamination and damage. Employee respirators were observed to be stored inside the facility without protection from accumulated dust.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.141(a)(3)(i): Places of employment were not kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that the lunch and break areas were kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allowed. Lunch room tables were observed covered in dust and debris.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Oct 29, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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 g/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not ensure that employees were not exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) calculated as a time-weighted average (TWA). An employee was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour TWA of 163.8436 µg/m3 during occupational exposures of 321 minutes. The employee was using saws to split and cut stone and was 3.2769 above the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3. Zero exposures were assumed for all unsampled time periods.  Violation noted on April 16, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(d)(3)(iv): Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicated that employee exposures were above the PEL, the employer did not repeat such monitoring within three months of the most recent monitoring:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not repeat respirable crystalline silica exposure monitoring within the required timeframe. Sampling was last conducted in 2019 and revealed that six employees were above the PEL of 50 µg/m3.  Condition noted on/about March 25, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: The employer did not implement feasible engineering or work practice controls to reduce the employee exposure to below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).  An employee was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour TWA of 163.8436 µg/m3 during occupational exposures of 321 minutes. The employee was using a saw to split and cut stone and was 3.2769 above the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3. Zero exposures were assumed for all unsampled time periods.  Violation noted on/about April 16, 2024

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Mar 31, 2025

Penalty

Initial $5,071 · Current $3,296 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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:  RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA DANGER                                                                                 MAY CAUSE CANCER  CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS  WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA  AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not ensure that signs were posted at all entrances to regulated areas that state that respirable crystalline silica is expected to be in excess of the PEL. Employees are exposed to respirable crystalline silica while engaged in stone cutting operations.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(j)(3)(i)(A): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica:  (a) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not provide employees with information and training on hazards associated with tasks generating respirable silica dust and measures needed to be implemented to protect employees. Employees are exposed to respirable crystalline silica while engaged in stone cutting operations.

Issued

Sep 11, 2024

Abate by

Dec 30, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,098 · Current $4,614 Reduced

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) QuarryCut Inc. located at 77 Wells Road, Parker Ford, PA 19457: On or about March 12, 2024, the employer did not provide hazardous chemical training for employees engaged in stone cutting operations. Employees are exposed to respiratory hazards including but not limited to respirable silica dust.