Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 005B 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: The employer does not protect employees from hazards associated with respirable crystalline silica, which is a carcinogen, by using engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL while employees fabricate stone countertops. This most recently occurred on, or about December 29, 2020, at the location of 4100 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44134, an employee fabricating a stone countertop, while using hand cutting and polishing tools was exposed to respirable dust containing crystalline silica at 270 ug/m3, which is 5.4 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 ug/m3. Exposure calculations include a zero exposure increment for the 110 minutes not sampled. 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. In accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19(d), abatement certification is required for this violation (using the CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION WORKSHEET), and in addition, documentation demonstrating that abatement is complete must be included with your certification. The documentation may include, but is not limited to, evidence of the purchase or repair of the equipment, photographic or video evidence, or written records.