Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 003B Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.55(b): Feasible administrative or engineering controls were not implemented to reduce employee exposure(s): Location: The Boschertown Sanitary Sewer Project at or near 3400 N. Hwy 94, St. Charles, MO 63301. On or about Aug. 28, 2012, an employee was exposed to 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone - MEK) above the 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 200 parts per million (ppm). The employee was exposed to approximately 1000 ppm averaged over an 8-hour time period. The employer did not ensure that engineering controls were implemented to control atmospheric concentrations of solvents including, but not limited to, MEK. The employer failed to utilize engineering controls in accordance with their written safety and health programs. An employee was assigned tasks that involved the use of solvent based products such as, but not limited to: a.) Solvent cleaning the piping system in an 18'6" deep valve vault manhole using Sherwin Williams, R6K10, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (2-Butanone, MEK). b.) Thinning paint using Sherwin Williams, R6K10, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (2-Butanone, MEK). c.) Painting the piping system in an 18'6" deep valve vault manhole using Sherwin Williams Macropoxy 646 Fast Curing Epoxy Part A (B58T604) and Part B (B58V600) that contained xylene, methyl isobutyl ketone (Hexone, MIBK), and ethyl benzene thinned with Sherwin Williams, R6K10, Methyl Ethyl Ketone (2-Butanone, MEK).