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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazards of developing undetected cases of silicosis from being exposed to unknown concentrations of crystalline silica: (a) at the facility, where a Sandblaster was exposed to silica, containing 1.0crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 20.6 mg/m3. The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit for silica with 1.0crystalline quartz is 3.33 mg/m3. Sampling was conducted for 395 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97. Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 85 minutes. (b) at the facility, where a Sandblaster was exposed to silica, containing 1.3crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 6.3 mg/m3. The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit for silica with 1.3crystalline quartz is 3.03 mg/m3. Sampling was conducted for 397 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97. Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 83 minutes. (c) at the facility, where a Sandblaster was exposed to silica, containing 1.0crystalline quartz, at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 20.8 mg/m3. The acceptable Permissible Exposure Limit for silica with 1.0crystalline quartz is 3.33 mg/m3. Sampling was conducted for 400 minutes during the first shift on 08-06-97. Zero exposure was assumed for the remaining 80 minutes. Feasible methods of abatement may include, but are not limited to: 1. Medical surveillance, including: a. A baseline examination which includes a medical and occupational history to elicit data on signs and symptoms of respiratory disease prior to exposure to crystalline silica. The medical examination emphasizing the respiratory system should be repeated every five years if under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20 years of exposure. The medical examination should be repeated more frequently if respiratory symptoms develop or upon the recommendation of the examining physician. b. A baseline chest x-ray should be obtained prior to employment with a follow-up every five years if under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20 years of exposure. A chest x-ray may be required more frequently if determined by the examining physician. c. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): Should include FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), FVC (forced vital capacity) and DLCO (diffusion lung capacity). PFTs should be obtained for a baseline examination with PFTs repeated everyfive years if under 20 years of exposure and every two years if over 20 years of exposure. PFTs may be required more frequently if respirable symptoms develop or if recommended by the examining physician. d. A chest x-ray should be obtained upon employment termination.