OSHA Inspection: CORNERSTONE IMPROVEMENT, LLC

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use: (Construction Reference 1926.103)  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about November 24, 2003, employees were required to wear tight-fitting elastomeric respirators when manually scraping and sanding paint from the interior of the building at the above referenced building which was built in 1926.  The employer stated he did not have a written respiratory protection program.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(e)(1):The employer did not provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee was fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace: (Construction Reference 1926.103)  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding paint from the interior of the building at the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor which was built in 1926.  The employees had not had medical evaluations to ensure they were healthy enough to wear respirators.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1):29 CFR  1910.134(k)(1):The employer did not provide respirator training that ensured that each employee could demonstrate knowledge of at least the following elements: Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator; What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator, and How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.  (Construction Reference 1926.103)  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding paint from the interior of the building at the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor which was built in 1926. The employer had not provided employees with training and information about why respirator use was required; what the respirator limitations were, proper procedures for donning, doffing, and checking the fit of the respirator; how to properly maintain and store their respirators; and/or recognition of medical signs and symptoms limiting or preventing effective use of the respirator.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2):The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of a building at the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor which was built in 1926.  The employer had not instructed each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(d)(1)(i):Each employer who had a workplace or operation covered by 29 CFR 1926.62 did not initially determine if any employee was exposed to lead at or above the action level of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air (30 ug/m3) calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA):  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced location.  The employer had not performed initial monitoring to determine whether the employees were exposed to lead at or above the OSHA action level.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(d)(1)(iii): The employer did not collect personal samples representative of a full shift, including at least one sample for each job classification in each work area, either for each shift or for the shift with the highest exposure level:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT:  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced location.  The employer had not conducted full shift sampling to determine the employees' exposure to lead while performing this work.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(d)(2)(i): Until the employer performed an employee exposure assessment, as required in 29 CFR 1926.62(d), and documented that the employee(s) performing any of the listed tasks was not exposed above the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), the employer did not treat affected employee(s) as if they were exposed above the PEL, and not in excess of ten times the PEL, and did not implement employee protective measures prescribed in 29 CFR 1926.62(d)(2)(v):  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, the employer did not provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment, biological monitoring, or training pertaining to the hazards of lead and how to protect themselves from exposure to lead while manually dry scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced building which was built in 1926.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(d)(2)(v): Where employees were directed to perform tasks described in paragraphs (d)(2), including demolition of structures, manual scraping, and/or manual sanding; and where an exposure assessment had not been conducted to determine actual employee exposure to airborne lead, the employer did not provide interim protection as follows: (A)       Appropriate respiratory protection in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. (B)       Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. (C)       Change areas in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. (D)       Hand washing facilities in accordance with paragraph (i)(5) of this section.                        (E)       Biological monitoring in accordance with paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section, and (F)       Training as required under paragraph (l)(1)(i) of this section regarding 29 CFR 1926.59, Hazard Communication; training as required under paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(C) of this section, regarding use of respirators; and training in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.21, Safety training and education.  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the exterior of the above-referenced residence.  The employer had not conducted an exposure assessment to determine the employees' exposure to lead nor had he provided them with appropriate PPE, changing area, hand-washing facilities, biological monitoring, and training in the interim.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(g)(1):Where employees were exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit, without regard to the use of respirators; where employees were exposed to lead compounds which may cause skin or eye irritation (e.g. lead arsenate, lead azide); and as interim protection for employees performing tasks as specified in 29 CFR 1926.62(d)(2), the employer did not ensure that each employee used appropriate protective work clothing and equipment that prevented contamination of the employee and the employee's garments:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT:  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the exterior of the above-referenced residence.  The employer had not conducted exposure assessment monitoring and also did not provide his employees with protective work clothing to minimize the employees' exposure to lead and to prevent them from carrying lead home with them on their clothing and shoes.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(i)(2)(i): The employer did not provide clean change areas as an interim protection for employees performing tasks as specified in 29 CFR 1926.62(d)(2), without regard to the use of respirators:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor.  The employer had not provided a clean changing area for his employees.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(i)(5)(i): The employer did not provide adequate handwashing facilities in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.51(f), for use by employees exposed to lead:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor.  The employer did not provide his employees with adequate handwashing facilities to minimize exposure to lead.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(j)(1)(i):The employer did not make available initial medical surveillance, consisting of biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels, to employees occupationally exposed on any day to lead at or above the action level:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT:  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of a building built in 1926.  The employer did not send the employees for initial biological monitoring to determine their baseline blood lead concentrations prior to working at the site.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(l)(1)(ii): The employer did not institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the building at the above-referenced location which was built in 1926.  The employees were not provided with training pertaining to lead and the associated health hazards prior to commencing this work.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(e)(1): The employer did not implement all feasible engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead to or below the permissible exposure limit:  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT:  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced building.  The employer had not implemented the use of engineering and work practice controls.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(e)(5):The employer shall ensure that, to the extent relevant, employees follow good work practices such as described in Appendix B of this section.  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced residence.  The employer had not ensured the employees followed good work practices to minimize lead exposure.

Issued

May 24, 2024

Abate by

Jul 15, 2024

Penalty

Initial $4,148 · Current $4,148

Hazardous substances 1591

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.62(e)(2)(i):Prior to commencement of the job each employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program to achieve compliance with paragraph (c) of this section.  525 MAIN STREET, HARTFORD, CT  On or about and at times prior to November 24, 2023, four employees were observed to be manually scraping and sanding lead-based paint from the interior of the above-referenced location on the 3rd floor.  The employer had not established and implemented a written compliance program.