Cal/OSHA Enforcement Issues with Toxics in Construction

Patrick Corcoran CIH, MPH

Cal/OSHA Training Coordinator

Today’s Discussion

•Most common “toxics” citations in construction in CA

•Compliance issues

•New and proposed regulations

•Your questions

Common Construction Citations - California (FFY’13) Title 8 Section Topic Number

1509 IIPP - Construction 907

3395 Heat Illness 714

1512 Emergency Medical Service

207

3276 Walkways 120

341 Permit Requirements 104

1644 Metal Scaffolds 103

1527 Washing Facilities 101

342 Failure to Report 100

1670 Fall Protection 83

1712 Rebar Covers 70

Toxics in Construction Citations California (FFY’13) Title 8 Section Topic Number

5144 Respiratory Protection 47

1529 Asbestos 41

5194 Hazard Communications 37

5155 Airborne Contaminants 6

3382 Eye Protection 8

3384 Hand Protection 7

5162 Eyewash 5

1514 Personal Protective Devices

4

1530.1 Concrete & Masonry Dust

4

1532.1 Lead 3

Enforcement Issues: PPE

• Inadequate PPE under 1514.

• Chemical resistant gloves are not all the same.

• Respirators

• Facial hair/hoodies

• No cartridge change-out schedule or estimate of exposure

• Medical evaluations/fit testing

• Eyewash in field for corrosives

Face-to-Facepiece Interference

Improper Respirator Use

Estimates of Exposure?

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Emergency Eyewashes

• When working with corrosives, have an emergency eyewash facility in close proximity!

The eyewash should provide for 15 minutes of flushing of both eyes hands-free. What does the MSDS say?

Is this what you rely on as an emergency eyewash?

Enforcement Issues: T8 CCR Section 1530.1 (Silica)

•Quite rare to find engineering controls or wet methods on concrete & masonry grinding

•No exposure assessments performed

•Not wearing respiratory protection

•1530.1 enforcement

Potential Silica Dust Exposures

Roof Tiles Masonry

Plastering

Dry Wall

Concrete Granite/Marble

Structural Steel Insulation

Sand Blasting

Silica Exposure Control Silica dust exposure can be controlled by

use of water or exhaust ventilation

Using water to cut concrete and bricks

Concrete sander with exhaust ventilation

Enforcement Issues: T8 CCR Section 1532.1 Lead

• Demolition of structures

• Metal coated beams

• Painted walls

• Lead Compliance Plan must include:

• Estimate of exposure

• PPE & employee training

• Engineering controls

• (p) Pre-Job Notification: exceptions

Lead in Construction

Torch cutting metal with Pb-based paint Old highway stripe can contain Pb

Welding & Cutting in Construction

Enforcement Issues: Welding & Cutting

• Indoor

• LEV for 100fpm at welding zone

• Not feasible? Dilution ventilation to below PELs

• Not feasible? Respirators

• Enclosed space

• LEV when toxic metals present

• Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Beryllium, Fluoride, Zinc, Mercury

• Inert-gas metal arc welding or Oxygen cutting of stainless steel.

• If still overexposed supplied air respirators

• Open Air

• Metals above? Wear respirators

• Beryllium? supplied-air respirators only

• Natural or Mechanical ventilation? Respirators not required except for Pb, Cd, Be, Hg

Enforcement Issues: Asbestos

• We didn’t know/Owner didn’t tell us.

• Not qualified to do asbestos work.

• Did not use proper PPE and controls

• HEPA vacuum filter for dust & debris

• Wet work

• Prompt clean-up & disposal

• Specific controls for class I, II, or III work

Asbestos in Building Products

Valley Fever in the Southwest

Enforcement Issues: Valley Fever

• Train Employees

• What is cocci?

• Signs & Symptoms

• Control measures

• Control Dust Exposure

• HEPA-filtered cabs on heavy equipment

• Respirators

• Wet work

• Avoid windy conditions

• Wash vehicles when leaving the area

• Medical Surveillance

• Incorporate controls into your IIPP

Valley Fever Controls

Other Enforcement Issues: the Human Side

• We shouldn’t pretend to be experts in what you do. Help us to understand.

• The process can take a while, be patient.

• Safety and PPE during the inspection.

New and Proposed Regulations

• Lead PEL & medical surveillance limits are getting attention: CDPH proposal to lower.

• GHS update to Hazard Communication standard and others.

• Sections 1520 and 3384 Hand Protection

Questions?

Patrick Corcoran CIH, MPH

Senior Safety Engineer

Cal/OSHA Training Coordinator

pcorcoran@dir.ca.gov

(916) 263-0206