OSHA Inspection: CONPROCO CORPORATION

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $4,729

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 micrograms per cubic meter, calculated as an 8-hour TWA:   a.  Dry Side Premix Line - On or about 12/05/2024, an employee manually placing bags onto fill pipes was exposed to airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of 51 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 1.02 times the permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.   b.) Dry Side - On or about 12/05/2024, an employee operating a forklift was exposed to airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 1.18 times the permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to implement feasible and effective engineering and work practice controls such as effective local exhaust ventilation and HEPA vacuum cleaning methods.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

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:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to institute  a respiratory protection program for employees working in areas where employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica was, or could reasonably be expected to be, in excess of the PEL.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(h)(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 that minimize the likelihood of exposure were feasible:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer permitted employees to dry sweep floors.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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:  Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to assess the exposure of employees working in this area to respirable crystalline silica.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(e)(1): The employer did not establish a regulated area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica was, or could have been reasonably expected to be, in excess of the PEL:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to establish a regulated area.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.1053(f)(2)(i): The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to establish and implement of a written exposure control plan.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 9000

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:   Dry Side  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees involved in bag filling and material flow operations were exposed to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica at an 8-hour, time-weighted average of  up to 59 micrograms per cubic meter of air which exceeded the action level (AL) of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air.  The employer failed to make medical surveillance available for employees at or above the action level.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $4,729 · Current $4,729

Hazardous substances 9000

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), (g), and (h) will be met:   Site  - On or about 12/05/2024, employees were exposed to masonry and concrete products such as Forment Admix, 5000 Concrete Mix, and Type S Mortar Mix during the mixing, packaging, and material flow process.  The employer failed to develop a written hazard communication program.  Employees were exposed to inhalation and eye/skin contact hazards that could result in health effects such as, but not limited to silicosis, cancer, irritation of the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, eyes, and skin.

Issued

Mar 20, 2025

Abate by

Apr 24, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

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:   Site - On or about 12/05/2024, employees were exposed to masonry and concrete products such as Forment Admix, 5000 Concrete Mix, and Type S Mortar Mix during the mixing, packaging, and material flow process.  The employer failed to train employees on the chemical hazards and the hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica exposure.  Employees were exposed to inhalation and eye/skin contact hazards that could result in health effects such as, but not limited to silicosis, cancer, irritation of the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, eyes, and skin.