Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.134(g)(2)(i) as required by 29 CFR 1926.103: When there was a change in the work area, conditions, or degree of employee exposure or stress that may effect respirator effectiveness, the employer did not reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the respirator: a. Schiller Station - On or about June 5, 2017, the employer failed to reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the respirators used by employees when there were changes such as increases in workplace temperature and increases in the levels of mercury vapor observed during direct-read and personal air sampling. Employees were exposed to mercury above the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m3 while working inside of the containments during the dismantling of mercury boilers and related equipment using torches. Note: Exposure to mercury may result in symptoms of nervous system toxicity including, but not limited to personality changes (irritability, shyness, nervousness), tremors, changes in vision (constriction or narrowing of the visual field), deafness, muscle incoordination, loss of sensation, and difficulties with memory. Additionally, exposure to high levels of mercury vapor can damage the lining of the mouth and irritate lungs and airways, causing tightness of breath, a burning sensation in the lungs, and coughing. Other effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes, eye irritation, and kidney damage.