OSHA fines Watsontown Brick almost $500K for silica dust exposure

OSHA cited General Shale Brick Inc. with three willful and four serious violations for knowingly exposing its workers to unsafe levels of respirable silica dust at its Watsontown, Pennsylvania manufacturing plant.

On Feb. 12, OSHA investigators inspected General Shale Brick Inc. - doing business as Watsontown Brick Company - as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting inspection plan and national emphasis program (NEP) on silica, as well as a review of the company's injury and illness records.

Repeat violation for missing respirator fit tests

OSHA found workers in Plant 3, where molded brick is made, breathed in silica dust above safe limits. The company knew about the exposure but failed to fix the problem or require workers to wear respirators.

OSHA also determined the company:

• Failed to test workers' respirator fit each year
• Did not establish regulated areas where employees are exposed to silica
• Did not check silica exposure levels for all silica-involved jobs
• Did not provide required medical exams for workers exposed to silica for more than 30 days a year.

A past violation for missing respirator fit tests at the company's Augusta, Georgia site led to an added repeat violation.

OSHA issued three willful, four serious, one repeat, and one other-than-serious violation, with proposed penalties of $496,528.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC).