Oldcastle APG South Inc., Riviera Beach: OSHA silica citation

Inspection reason: Conducted under OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations and Regional Emphasis Program for Powered Industrial Trucks.

Findings on silica dust

• Silica levels went over the permissible exposure limit for workers, and no engineering or work practice controls had been put in place by the company.
• No follow-up air monitoring for silica was done by the company.
• Medical evaluations weren't provided to employees who wore respirators.
• No medical surveillance program covered employees whose silica exposure was above the limit.

More hazards in this citation

• The company's workers faced amputation hazards.
• Workers faced hazards from falls and from being struck by objects.
• No audiograms (hearing tests) were provided by the company.

The employer's time to answer the citation: From the day the citations and proposed penalties arrived, the company had 15 working days. In that time it could comply, ask OSHA's area director for an informal conference, or take its case to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Did you work at Oldcastle APG South?

Silica dust gets thrown off when you cut, mix and finish concrete, block and masonry. Workers' comp is usually where a silicosis claim starts when the employer is Oldcastle APG South in Riviera Beach. A lawyer can see if a manufacturer of products or equipment could be sued as well.