Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 006B 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 5, 2023, in the facility, an employee performing polishing operations on quartz was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) of 55 micrograms per meter cubed of air (ug/m3) of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), approximately 1.1 times the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 ug/m3. The employer failed to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program, which included worksite specific procedures, thereby exposing employees to silicosis, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, immune system and kidney effects. 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.