Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 013B Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1): The employer did not 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: (a) A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 189.31 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 3.78 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 233 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 247 minutes; (b) A grinder employee was performing hand grinding operations and was exposed to respirable crystalline silica at an eight-hour time-weighted average of 67.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, approximately 1.35 times 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This limit is established to prevent silicosis and lung cancer. Sampling was performed for 180 minutes. Zero exposure was assumed for the unsampled time of 300 minutes.