OSHA Inspection: C. E. KORSGARD CO.

Issued

Jul 22, 2025

Abate by

Aug 28, 2025

Penalty

Initial $6,621 · Current $4,635 Reduced

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: (d)(2)(ii) Performance option. The employer shall assess the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee on the basis of any combination of air monitoring data or objective data sufficient to accurately characterize employee exposures to respirable crystalline silica; or, (d)(2)(iii) Scheduled monitoring option. (A) The employer shall perform initial monitoring to assess the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee on the basis of one or more personal breathing zone air samples that reflect the exposures of employees on each shift, for each job classification, in each work area. Where several employees perform the same tasks on the same shift and in the same work area, the employer may sample a representative fraction of these employees in order to meet this requirement. In representative sampling, the employer shall sample the employee(s) who are expected to have the highest exposure to respirable crystalline silica. (B) If initial monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring. (C) Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are at or above the action level but at or below the PEL, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring. (D) Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are above the PEL, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within three months of the most recent monitoring. (E) Where the most recent (non-initial) exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring until two consecutive measurements, taken seven or more days apart, are below the action level, at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section.  (a) 1290 Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL, 60540 - On or about April 10th, 2025, employees were exposed to the hazards of respirable crystalline silica. Employees performed sanding of a concrete floor surface with a walk-behind floor sander, in conjunction with intermittent use of a ridged shop vacuum. Prior to engaging in this activity, the employer did not conduct an exposure assessment in accordance with either the performance option or scheduled monitoring.   Abatement certification is required of this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(c).