Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002H Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.134(k): The employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, annual training for employees required to wear respirators in the workplace: (a) Granite and Marble Designs LLC at 650 E 49th Ave, Denver, CO 80216: On and before March 16, 2012, the employer did not provide respiratory protection training prior to employees using respirators in the workplace. Employees are required to wear half-mask elastomeric respirators and dust masks while conducting slab fabrication operations such as, but not limited to, sawing, cutting, grinding, routing, and polishing. These operations expose employees to respirable silica. Employees are unaware of how to clean respirators, how frequently to change filters and dust masks, or how to do user seal checks. Employees were observed with facial hair. This employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, annual respirator training. On March 22, 2012, one employee conducting dry cutting and dry grinding operations on granite and engineered stone countertops was exposed to respirable silica at a concentration greater than the 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.48 milligrams per cubic meter. The employee was exposed to respirable silica at a concentration of 5.168 milligrams per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA. This is 10.77 times the PEL. Air monitoring was conducted for 341 minutes. (b) Granite and Marble Designs LLC at 650 E 49th Ave, Denver, CO 80216: On and before March 16, 2012, the employer did not provide respiratory protection training prior to employees using respirators in the workplace. Employees are required to wear half-mask elastomeric respirators and dust masks while conducting slab fabrication operations such as, but not limited to, sawing, cutting, grinding, routing, and polishing. These operations expose employees to respirable silica. Employees are unaware of how to clean respirators, how frequently to change filters and dust masks, or how to do user seal checks. Employees were observed with facial hair. This employer did not provide comprehensive, understandable, annual respirator training. The employer did not conduct respiratory protection training to employees required to wear respiratory protection in the workplace. This condition potentially exposes employees to a respiratory hazard. Abatement Note: The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following: (1) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator; (2) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are; (3) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions; (4) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals for the respirator; (5) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator; (6) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators; and, (7) The general requirements of this section. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (see enclosed Certification of Corrective Action Worksheet).