Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002A Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1): A written respiratory protection program that included the provisions in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(i) - (ix) with worksite specific procedures was not established and implemented for required respirator use: a) On or about October 12, 2023, in the mixing rooms, employees required to perform mixing operations were exposed to particulates not otherwise regulated (total dust), at an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average of 21.1 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) to 175 mg/m3, approximately 1.4 to 11.7 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 15 (mg/m3). The employer failed to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program, which included worksite specific procedures, thereby exposing employees to respiratory system illnesses. The respiratory protection program shall include, at a minimum, procedures for selecting respirators; medical evaluations; fit testing; procedures for proper use in routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations; procedures for cleaning, string, inspecting, repairing and discarding respirators; employee training regarding respiratory hazards they are exposed to, proper uses and limitations of respirators; and procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the respirator program.