OSHA Inspection: GOULD BROTHERS L.L.C.

Issued

Nov 3, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $2,838

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1): For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer shall fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section:  On or about June 3, 2025, the employee was permitted to use a handheld power saw to cut concrete curbs without implementing the control methods specified for the task on Table 1, thereby exposing the employee to hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica.

Issued

Nov 3, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(1): The employer did not ensure that employees were not exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 ug/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA, for tasks not listed in Table 1 or when the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection described in Table 1 were not fully and properly implemented:  On or about June 3, 2025, the employer did not conduct an exposure assessment to ensure employee exposure as an 8-hour TWA to respirable crystalline silica was not in excess of 50 ug/m3 when permitting employees to operate handheld power saws without engineering controls being fully and properly implemented as described in Table 1.

Issued

Nov 3, 2025

Abate by

Dec 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1): The employer did not establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contained at least the elements of paragraphs 1926.1153(g)(1)(i) through (iv):  On or about June 3, 2025, the employer permitted employees to perform handheld power saw operations on concrete curbs exposing them to respirable crystalline silica and did not establish and implement a silica exposure control plan.   The silica exposure control plan shall include, at a minimum, a description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica; a description of the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica for each task; a description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica; and a description of the procedures used to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other employers or sole proprietors.

Issued

Nov 3, 2025

Abate by

Dec 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(4): The employer did not designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan:  On or about June 3, 2025,  the employer did not ensure the job site, materials, and equipment were frequently and regularly inspected in addition to a written exposure control plan being implemented through designating a competent person to conduct these activities, thereby exposing an employee to hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica.

Issued

Nov 3, 2025

Abate by

Dec 22, 2025

Penalty

Initial $2,838 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances S103

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.1153(i)(2)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(A) through (F):  a) On or about June 3, 2025, the employer did not ensure that each employee covered by this section was provided with training as required by the standard which included at least:  (A) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; (B) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica;  (C) Specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used; (D) The contents of this section; (E) The identity of the competent person designated by the employer in accordance with paragraph (g)(4) of this section; and (F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (h) of this section.  An employee used a handheld power saw to cut through concrete curbs, thereby exposing them to the hazards of respirable crystalline silica.