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

29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1): The employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE): (a) Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC at 5201 Fox St., Denver, CO: On and around June 18, 2019, the employer did not reassess the workplace to determine if hazards were present or likely to be present, which necessitated the use of PPE after the asphalt surge tank and coater system were reengineered, equipment was changed, and solid asphalt clogs began to form in the pipes within the system. Employees used pressurized steam to unclog pipes between a hot asphalt surge tank and coating system but the employer had not assessed asphalt splash hazards associated with introducing water to the surge tank, containing asphalt heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This condition resulted in four employees being exposed to hot asphalt splash hazards and suffering multiple skin burns. (b) Owens Corning Roofing and Asphalt, LLC at 5201 Fox St., Denver, CO: On and around June 18, 2019, the employer did not assess the workplace to determine if hazards were present or likely to be present, which necessitated the use of PPE. Employees used pressurized steam to unclog pipes between a hot asphalt surge tank and coating system but the employer had not assessed the hazard of using a pressurized steam system. During the application of steam to a clogged pipe, the steam line became clogged with asphalt. Employees decoupled the steam line from the pipe system and attempted to clear the steam line blockage, while the line was pressurized at 80 pounds per square inch. This condition potentially exposed employees to struck-by hazards from solid asphalt particles and burn hazards from steam. Abatement Note: When then employer has determined that hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: (1) Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment; (2) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and, (3) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee. (4) The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment. (5) Defective and damaged equipment. Defective or damaged personal protective equipment shall not be used. (6) The employer shall provide training to each employee who is required by this section to use PPE. Each such employee shall be trained to know at least the following: (a) When PPE is necessary; (b) What PPE is necessary; (c) How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE; (d) The limitations of the PPE; and, (7) Each affected employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training specified in paragraph (1) of this section, and the ability to use PPE properly, before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE. (8) When the employer has reason to believe that any affected employee who has already been trained does not have the understanding and skill required by paragraph (2) of this section, the employer shall retrain each such employee. Circumstances where retraining is required include, but are not limited to, situations where: (a) Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete; or (b) Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous training obsolete; or (c) Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill. (9) The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of training, and that identifies the subject of the certification. (10) Paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section apply only to 1910.133, 1910.135, 1910.136, and 1910.138. Paragraphs (d) and (f) of this section do not apply to 1910.134 and 1910.137. Note: Non-mandatory Appendix B contains an example of procedures that would comply with the requirement for a hazard assessment.