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

29 CFR 1926.1101(h)(3)(iii)(A):The employer did not provide a half-mask air-purifying respirator, other than a disposable respirator, equipped with high-efficiency filters, whenever the employee(s) performed Class II and III asbestos jobs where no negative exposure assessment was available. Location: Worksite On or about November 30, 2023, an employee was exposed to asbestos hazards while performing Asbestos Class III work when disturbing the asbestos-containing workroom floor and mastic in order to move the accountable cage, where no negative exposure assessment was available and the employer did not provide a half-face air purifying respirator equipped with high-efficiency particulate filters. The operation disturbed intact floor tiles containing 24% chrysotile asbestos and created dust and debris by cutting embedded bolts, hammering the cut bolts into the tiles, and then drilling new floor holes. The employer has previously failed to assess employee exposures before initiation of an operation as seen below in prior violations (cited under the alternative General Industry 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i): a)The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a Repeat-Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1640228 citation number 2 item number 2 with an inspection date of 12/15/2022 with respect to a workplace located at 1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. b.)The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for an Other-than-Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1458590 citation number 2 item number 2 and was affirmed as a final order on 6/15/2020 with respect to a workplace located at 20711 Holt Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044. c.) The U. S. Postal Service was previously cited for a Serious violation of this occupational safety and health standard, or its equivalent standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(3)(i), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1278348 citation number 1 item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on 7/18/2018 with respect to a workplace located at 200 South Park Avenue, Herrin, IL 62948.