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

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1): Methods of compliance-(1) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. On or about November 30, 2023, employees working in the foundry were exposed to respirable crystalline silica levels in excess of the permissible exposure limit, exposing them to health hazards such as silicosis. The employer failed to maintain engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL: a. A SPO operator was sampled for 412 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 75.5 ?g/m3. A 68-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. b. An iron pourer was sampled for 410 minutes in the melt department and their 8-hour TWA was 145.2 ?g/m3. A 70-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. c. A skuller was sampled for 444 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 63.8 ?g/m3. A 36-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. d. A filter setter was sampled for 451 minutes in the mold department and their 8-hour TWA was 178.5 ?g/m3. A 29-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. e. An EHS laborer was sampled for 435 minutes throughout the foundry and their 8-hour TWA was 145.0 ?g/m3. A 45-minute zero increment was included for the time not sampled. Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d).