Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 002A Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.55(a): Employee(s) were exposed to material(s) at concentrations above those specified in the Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants for 1970 of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists: a. Schiller Station - On or about May 30, 2017 and on at least 24 occasions prior to and at least 32 occasions on or after, the employer failed to ensure that employee exposure to mercury above the permissible exposure limit was avoided. Employee exposure to airborne mercury during the dismantling of the mercury boilers and related equipment as measured by the employer on June 5, 2017 was as high as 1.7 milligrams per cubic meter of air averaged over an eleven hour period, which was seventeen times the permissible exposure limit of 0.1 mg/m3. 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.