Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 020C Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.134(a)(2): The employer did not establish and maintain a respiratory protection program which included the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.134(c): (a) In the lower commodity/mixing room, on or about September 9, 2015, respirators were not required an employee who was operating the skid steer/cat transporting feed products was exposed to particulates (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 46.5 mg/m3, which is approximately 3 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 455 minute sampling period; the calculations include a zero value for the 25 minutes not sampled. (b) In the truck unloading areas, on or about September 9, 2015, respirators were not required an employee who was shoveling feed products was exposed to particulates (total dust) at an 8 hour Time-Weighted Average level of 18.4 mg/m3, which is approximately 1.2 times the Permissible Exposure Limit for total dust of 15 mg/m3. The exposure level is derived from a sample collected over a 465 minute sampling period; the calculations include a zero value for the 15 minutes not sampled. A minimally acceptable respiratory protection program shall include all of the following requirements: 1. Written standard operating procedures governing the selection and use of the respirators. 2. Only approved respirators shall be used. Respirators shall be selected on the basis of hazards to which the worker is exposed. 3. Respirators must be provided free of charge where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees. 4. Employers must provide (free of charge) a medical evaluation to determine each employee's fitness to wear a respirator before initial use. 5. Before initial respirator use, fit testing is required for all employees using a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators where such respirators are required by OSHA or where the employer requires the use of such respirator. 6. The user shall be instructed and trained in the proper use of respirators and their limitations. 7. Surveillance of the work area conditions and degree of employee exposure or stress shall be conducted. 8. Employer must ensure the use of respirators where respirators are needed to protect the health of the employees. 9. Respirators shall be regularly cleaned and disinfected to keep them in a sanitary condition. 10. Respirators shall be stored in a clean and sanitary location to prevent damage and contamination.