Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002B 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 November 7, 2024, the employer did not establish and implement a written respiratory protection program when respirators were necessary to protect the health of employees from hazardous chemicals, such as, but not limited to, respirable crystalline silica. Employees in the production area conducting marble, engineered stone and granite countertop polishing and grinding operations were exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust approximately 1.9 and 3.75 times over the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 ?g/m3. The employer required employees to use 3M Series 6000 half mask elastomeric facepiece respirators and N-95 Honeywell DC300N95 filtering facepiece respirators. All provisions of 29 CFR 1910.134(d) through (m) must be contained in a written respiratory protection program for mandatory use of respirators. Key elements include, but are not limited to: 1) Procedures for selection of respirators 2) Medical evaluations for respirator use 3) Fit testing procedures 4) Procedures for proper use, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of respirators 5) Employee training 6) Procedures for regularly evaluating the respirator program In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19 (d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstration that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of purchase or repair of equipment, photographic or video evidence of abatement or other written records.