Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001A Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.65(q)(3)(iv): Employees engaged in emergency response and exposed to hazardous substances presenting an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard, did not wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus until such time that the individual in charge of the incident command system determined through the use of air monitoring that a decreased level of respiratory protection would not result in hazardous exposures to employees: (a) On or about 7/11/2017, employees of National Grid Plc were exposed to chemical hazards from mercury exposure because the employer did not ensure that employees engaged in emergency response and exposed to hazardous substances presenting an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard, did not wear positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus until such time that the individual in charge of the incident command system determined through the use of air monitoring that a decreased level of respiratory protection would not result in hazardous exposures to employees. The employer allowed employees to remain in the space to document the nature of the spill for several minutes without respiratory protection or barrier PPE without first determining the level of hazardous mercury vapor.