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

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure(s): (a) On or about March 22, 2017, two employees operating pneumatic tools to remove delaminated concrete from piles below the pier at the Wando Welch Terminal were overexposed to respirable crystalline silica. General methods of control applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Use chipping hammer with water delivery system that supplies a continuous stream or spray of water at the point of impact or use such a tool equipped with a commercially available shroud and dust collection system that provides sufficient air flow to capture airborne dust at the source and a filter with 99% or greater efficiency. 2. Use a grinder equipped with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the grinding surface or use such a grinder equipped with a commercially available shroud and dust collection system that provides sufficient air flow to capture airborne dust at the source and a filter with 99% or greater efficiency. Disclaimers: 1. The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA; 2. The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases; and 3. The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an effective abatement plan Abatement Schedule STEP 1: Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by exposed employees as an interim protective measure until feasible engineering controls can be implemented or whenever such controls fail to reduce employee exposures to within permissible exposure limits. STEP 2: A written detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering measures to control employee exposures to hazardous substances as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with abatement dates required by this citation: 1. Evaluation of engineering control options; 2. Selection of optimum control methods and completion of design; 3. Procurement, installation, and operation of selected control measures; and 4. Testing and acceptance of modification/redesign of controls. NOTE: All proposed control measures shall be approved for each particular use by a competent industrial hygienist or technically qualified person. STEP 3: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. Date by Which Violation Must be Abated: STEP-1 May 20, 2017 Date by Which Violation Must be Abated: STEP-2 June 19, 2017 Date by Which Violation Must be Abated: STEP-3 August 17, 2017