Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003B Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1): Employees were exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) which exceeded 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, and the employer failed to use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below the PEL unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible: On 6/9/2015, an employee working at the Semi-manual welding station was exposed to hexavalent chromium at a level of 7.497 micrograms per cubic meter of air this exposure was approximately 1.5 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air. No engineering controls were installed to reduce the exposure to levels below the PEL. Abatement methods usually applicable in these circumstances include, but are not limited to, the following: Installation of local exhaust ventilation systems to remove contaminant at the source. Abatement steps: STEP 1: Effective respiratory protection shall be provided and used by all exposed employees as an interim protection measure and when administrative or engineering controls fail to reduce exposures to below the PEL. In addition, an effective respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 shall be maintained. Abatement must be completed by ***5 days***. STEP 2: Submit to the Area Director a written detailed plan of abatement outlining a schedule for the implementation of engineering and/or administrative measures to control employee exposure to levels below the PEL as referenced in this citation. This plan shall include, at a minimum, target dates for the following actions which must be consistent with the dates required by this citation. 1) Evaluation of engineering control options. 2) Selection of optimum control method and completion of design. 3) Procurement, installation and operation of selected control measures. 4) Testing and acceptance or modification/redesign of controls. All proposed control measures shall be evaluated for each particular use by a competent Industrial Hygienist or other technically qualified person. Thirty (30) day progress reports are required during the abatement period. Abatement must be completed by ***30 days***. STEP 3: Abatement should have been completed by the implementation of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls upon verification of their effectiveness in achieving compliance. This verification should include air monitoring results showing levels below the permissible exposure limit. Abatement must be completed by ***60 DAYS***.