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

29 CFR 1910.1000(e): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not determined and implemented to achieve compliance with the limits prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.1000(a) through (d): 1) On or about January 2, 2018, the employer failed to implement an effective combination of engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee(s) exposures to carbon monoxide to or below 50 parts per million or less. a) An employee sorting boards in the saw room area was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 513.4 ppm, approximately 10.27 times the permissible exposure limit. b) An employee disassembling pallets in the shop area was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 344.4 ppm, approximately 6.89 times the permissible exposure limit. c) An employee sorting boards in the saw room was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 214.9 ppm, approximately 4.30 times the permissible exposure limit. 2) On or about January 4, 2018, the employer failed to implement an effective combination of engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee(s) exposures to carbon monoxide to or below 50 parts per million or less. a) An employee sorting boards in the saw room was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 113.4 ppm, approximately 2.27 times the permissible exposure limit. b) An employee assembling pallets in the shop area was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 235.8 ppm, approximately 4.72 times the permissible exposure limit. c) An employee assembling pallets in the shop area was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 225 ppm, approximately 4.50 times the permissible exposure limit. d) An employee disassembling pallets in the shop area was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 214.1 ppm, approximately 4.28 times the permissible exposure limit. e) An employee sorting boards in the saw room was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 174.6 ppm, approximately 3.49 times the permissible exposure limit. f) An employee sorting boards in the saw room was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 70.9 ppm, approximately 1.42 times the permissible exposure limit. g) An employee sorting boards in the saw room was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 107.2 ppm, approximately 2.14 times the permissible exposure limit. h) An employee working in the front office was exposed to carbon monoxide at an 8-hour TWA of 108.0 ppm, approximately 2.16 times the permissible exposure limit. Methods of engineering and work practice controls include but are not limited to: 1. Seek the expertise of a competent individual such as an engineer or certified industrial hygienist to assess existing controls and work practices, obtain recommendations to improve existing controls and work practices, and prepare documentation for the successful installation of recommended equipment or modifications. 2. Repair, replace or otherwise tune, by a professional service, any and all propane-powered forklifts, ensuring compliance with current and/or applicable emission controls criteria and standards for Powered Industrial Vehicles. Implement and adhere to a forklift preventative maintenance schedule. 3. Assess production necessities and necessities as well as the spatial arrangement of the various work stations to optimize and reduce the duration of time propane-powered forklifts are operated indoors. 4. Replace propane-powered forklifts with electric / battery-powered forklifts and/or bulk moving equipment. 5. Repair, replace or otherwise tune any and all natural gas-powered space-heating equipment, ensuring compliance with current and/or applicable emission controls criteria and standards. Ensure proper ventilation of exhaust gas to the outdoors. 6. Install improved mechanical ventilation in the work areas. 7. Evaluate employee work practices. Develop policies geared towards minimizing use of forklifts in enclosed areas and minimize idling of forklifts. ABATEMENT NOTE: STEP 1: Effective training on the recognition, signs and symptoms of Carbon Monoxide shall be provided to affected employees along with development of policies geared towards minimizing the idling of forklifts. Abatement Date: 15 days from the citation issuance date STEP 2: A written, detailed plan of abatement shall be submitted to the Area Director outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering controls and work practice measures to control employee exposures to carbon monoxide, as referenced in the citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following action, which much be consistent with the dates required by this citation: (1) Evaluation of engineering and work practices. (2) Selection of the optimum combination of engineering controls and work practices. (3) Installation and operation of the optimum engineering controls and work practices. (4) Testing and acceptance, or modification/redesign of engineering controls and work practices. Abatement Date: 60 days from the citation issuance date STEP 3: Abatement shall have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering / administrative controls and/or work practice changes, upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance Abatement Date: 90 days from the citation issuance date. Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d).