Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1): For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer did not 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: a) Worksite located at New Jersey Turnpike, Western Spur, 107 Letterman Bridge The employer did not properly implement engineering controls and respiratory protection for employees using jack hammers and compressed air during concrete spall work. The employer did not ensure that, during jackhammering, a continuous stream or spray of water or dust collection was utilized. The employer allowed employees to wear half mask, negative pressure respirators without medical evaluations and fit tests. Employees using jack hammers and compressed air were exposed to crystalline respirable silica at an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 83.2 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), 78.5 ug/m3 and 71.8 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3), which are 1.7, 1.6 and 1.4 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/m3. Zero exposure was assumed for unsampled periods of 185 minutes, 278, and 180 minutes respectively. Violation occurred on or about 10/24/2019.