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

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit: a) On March 18, 2021, the employer exposed an employee who was spray finishing parts in a paint booth to chromium (VI) at an 8-hour Time Weighted Average of 17.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/M3), or approximately 3.44 times the Permissible Exposure Limit. The employer had not implemented feasible engineering controls and work practices in order to reduce employee exposures to levels below the PEL. General methods of control applicable in these instances include, but are not limited to, the following: i) Substitution of a paint that does not contain Cr(VI); ii) Installation of a down draft style paint booth; iii) Increase capture velocity of the existing ventilation system by installing a higher CFM exhaust fan in the existing paint booth; iv) Implementation of engineering and work practice controls to ensure that employees position parts and spray finish operations so that they are always standing "upwind" of air flow inside the paint booth. This could include the use of a rotational rack system so that parts can be rotated during spray finishing operations. Note: a) The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA. b) The methods noted are general and may not be effective in all cases. c) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate abatement method. Abatement note: Step 1: By 6/10/21 An effective respiratory protection program shall be implemented. Effective respiratory protection shall continue to be provided to and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering and/or administrative controls can be implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposure to within permissible exposure limits. Step 2: By 7/19/21 A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposes to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. Step 3: By 11/15/21 Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance.