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

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): In the workplace where respirators were necessary to protect the health of the employee or where respirators were required by the employer, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures including the provisions (i)-(ix) of this section, as applicable: a) On or about August 30, 2023, at bagging production line, for the employees wearing a 3M Aura 9205+ N95 respirator while loading fertilizer. A line production employee was exposed to total dust at a time weighted average (TWA) of 39.18 mg/m3 while filling bags of soil, which is approximately 2.6 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The employer did not implement a worksite-specific respiratory protection program. b) On or about July 28, 2023, at facility, for the employees wearing 3M Aura 9205+ N95 respirator working around the area while employees are loading fertilizer. The employer did not implement a worksite-specific respiratory protection program. Abatement Note: The Respiratory Protection Program shall include the following sections: (1) Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace; (2) Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators; (3) Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators; (4) Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations; (5) Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators; (6) Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators (if used); (7) Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations; (8) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and (9) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.