Document ID: OSHA-2010-0011-0023
Agency: osha
Document Type: Notice
Title: Keystone Steel and Wire Company; Grant of a Permanent Variance. Notice of a grant of a permanent variance.
Posted Date: 2010-10-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register: October 13, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 197)]
[Notices]               
[Page 62874-62879]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc10-91]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. OSHA-2010-0011]

 
Keystone Steel and Wire Company; Grant of a Permanent Variance

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 
Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of a grant of a permanent variance.

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[[Page 62875]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the grant of a permanent variance to 
Keystone Steel and Wire Company. The permanent variance addresses the 
provisions that regulate occupational exposure to lead and arsenic, 
specifically paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 1910.1025 and paragraph 
(k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018. These provisions prohibit the use of 
compressed air to clean floors and other surfaces where lead and 
arsenic particulates accumulate. As an alternative to complying with 
these provisions, Keystone Steel and Wire Company may instead comply 
with the conditions listed in this grant; these alternative conditions 
regulate the use of compressed air in combination with a vacuum-
containment system to remove particulates containing lead and arsenic 
from inside crane-motor housings during periodic maintenance 
operations. Accordingly, OSHA finds that these alternative conditions 
protect workers at least as well as the requirements specified by 29 
CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2). This permanent 
variance applies only in Federal OSHA enforcement jurisdictions.

DATES: The effective date of the permanent variance is October 13, 
2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General information and press 
inquiries. For general information and press inquiries about this 
notice, contact MaryAnn Garrahan, Acting Director, OSHA Office of 
Communications, Room N-3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-1999.
    Technical information. For technical information about this notice, 
contact Stefan Weisz, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination 
Activities, Room N-3655, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
2110; fax: (202) 693-1644.
    Copies of this Federal Register notice. Electronic copies of this 
notice are available at http://www.regulations.gov. Electronic copies 
of this notice, as well as news releases and other relevant 
information, are available on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Keystone Steel and Wire Company (hereafter, ``KSW''), 7000 S. Adams 
Street, Peoria, IL 61641,\1\ submitted an application for a permanent 
variance under Section 6(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
of 1970 (``OSH Act''; 29 U.S.C. 655) and 29 CFR 1905.11 (``Variances 
and other relief under section 6(d)'') for a permanent variance, and 
for an interim order pending a decision on the application for a 
variance, from the safety standards prescribed in 29 CFR 
1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2). The Agency published 
KSW's variance application and a grant for an interim order in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 2010 (75 FR 38130).
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    \1\ This address also is the place of employment described in 
the application.
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    KSW operates a melt shop where it processes scrap steel into a 
molten state. The equipment used to accomplish the melting process 
consists of: an electric-arc furnace, which uses an electric arc 
generated from electrodes to melt the scrap steel; and a ladle 
metallurgy furnace, which uses electrodes to maintain the molten steel 
at a constant temperature to produce the proper consistency of steel. 
The melting process requires the use of two overhead cranes to haul the 
scrap to the furnaces, and to transport the molten steel for further 
processing. Ten large, direct-current electric motors power each crane.
    During the melting process, fugitive emissions containing trace 
amounts of lead and arsenic accumulate inside the motor housings of the 
overhead cranes.\2\ To prevent electric arcing, KSW must remove the 
accumulated particulates from inside the crane-motor housings. To 
accomplish this task, KSW uses compressed air supplemented by a vacuum-
containment system.
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    \2\ The facility has local exhaust ventilation on the furnaces, 
and a canopy hood for the entire melt shop that captures most of the 
fugitive emissions.
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    As an alternative to complying with the housekeeping requirements 
specified by 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2), KSW 
proposed to adopt an alternative means of compliance that consists, in 
part, of a compressed-air vacuum-containment (CAVC) system mounted on a 
truck. A worker begins the crane-motor cleaning operation by inserting 
the nozzle of the compressed-air gun into an opening in the housing, 
then triggers the compressed air. The vacuum-containment system, which 
the worker activates prior to beginning the motor-cleaning operation, 
generates exhaust airflow inside the crane-motor housing. The vacuum, 
delivered through a hose, has an exhaust volume of 5,000 cubic feet per 
minute, and collects the lead and arsenic particulates that the worker 
removes with compressed air from the interior components of the crane 
motor. The system then deposits the particulates in a hopper, also 
mounted on the truck.
    KSW designed a flanged end that fits over an opening in a housing 
that covers each crane motor. The vacuum hose is connected to, and is 
supported by, this flange. Thus, the combination of the housing, 
flanged end, compressed air, and the vacuum-containment system captures 
most of the fugitive particulates released during the motor-cleaning 
operation, thereby reducing worker exposure to airborne lead and 
arsenic.
    In support of its variance application, KSW submitted the following 
data and information demonstrating the effectiveness of the alternative 
means of compliance:
    1. KSW administered several rounds of personal-exposure monitoring 
to workers who used compressed air while cleaning the crane motors. The 
results for the last two rounds of sampling for both lead and arsenic 
were below the action levels for these substances.
    2. KSW performed several rounds of medical surveillance, including 
biological monitoring for blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin 
concentrations, on workers who cleaned crane motors. Blood-lead 
monitoring results were well below the allowable concentration of 40 
[mu]g lead/100 g whole blood.
    3. KSW developed and implemented a Respiratory Protection Program 
designed to meet the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.134, 29 CFR 
1910.1025(f), and 29 CFR 1910.1018(h).
    4. KSW developed and implemented an Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium 
Control Program to meet the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.1018, 
29 CFR 1910.1025, and 29 CFR 1910.1027, respectively.
    5. KSW developed and implemented a Safe Job Procedure incorporating 
key elements of a job-hazard analysis. This document provides affected 
workers with a description of the steps required to complete the 
cleaning task, and the hazards associated with, and control methods 
used for, each of these steps (e.g., using vacuum exhaust in 
conjunction with compressed air, the type of protective clothing and 
other PPE to wear).
    6. KSW developed and implemented a program to instruct affected 
workers about the hazards associated with performing motor-cleaning 
operations, and the hazard controls used while performing these 
operations.
    In addition to the CACV, KSW proposed to include the following 
conditions in its alternative means of compliance:

[[Page 62876]]

Engineering Controls and Related Conditions

    1. Implement engineering controls (i.e., a compressed-air vacuum-
containment (CAVC) system) that maintain negative pressure inside the 
housing enclosing each crane motor when using compressed air to clean 
crane motors; this condition ensures that the exhaust airflow leaving 
the enclosure exceeds the inflow of compressed air by maintaining the 
volume of compressed air below 5,000 cubic feet per minute. This 
condition effectively prevents escape of lead and arsenic particulates 
from the crane-motor housing.
    2. To prevent the spread and recirculation of captured lead and 
arsenic particulates from the vacuum truck, ensure that: (a) The 
exhaust air in the CVAC system passes through a high-efficiency 
particulate air (HEPA) filtration system prior to discharge; and (b) 
this filtered exhaust does not reenter the work areas inside the plant.
    3. Ensure the continued effectiveness of the alternative means of 
compliance by: (a) Performing a pre-use or yearly inspection (whichever 
occurs more frequently) of all equipment and components used in the 
cleaning operations; \3\ (b) documenting such inspections using a 
checklist; (c) replacing or repairing all defective parts and 
components; and (d) maintaining records of inspections and corrective 
actions. This condition ensures that the equipment performs 
continuously at optimum effectiveness, thereby minimizing release of 
lead and arsenic particulates into the ambient atmosphere during the 
crane motor-cleaning operation.
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    \3\ Examples of the equipment or components listed on the 
checklist include: air compressors; pressure regulators; gages; 
compressed-air hoses; nozzle-pressure reducer; crane-motor 
enclosures; flanges; vacuum-system operations, including the HEPA 
filtration system and replacement of used filters; vacuum hoses; and 
electric outlets and extension cords used during the cleaning 
process.
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    4. Before implementing revisions to the motor-cleaning process, 
modify the Safe Job Procedure accordingly, and inform affected workers 
of the modifications. This condition promptly informs and updates 
workers performing the crane motor-cleaning operation of revisions to 
work procedures and safety practices, thereby reducing the possibility 
that they could compromise the effectiveness of the CACV system and 
other protective measures.

Exposure Monitoring

    5. Perform personal-exposure monitoring (i.e., Breathing-zone 
sampling) of the workers for lead and arsenic particulates during the 
entire period they use compressed air to clean crane motors. For 
multiple crane motor-cleaning operations during the same maintenance 
cycle, perform such monitoring on at least two operations that are 
representative of exposures for all affected workers performing 
cleaning operations during the cycle. This condition allows KSW to 
monitor worker exposure to lead and arsenic particulates outside the 
crane-motor housing during the cleaning operation. KSW would use these 
monitoring results to determine the effectiveness of the CACV system, 
and to take corrective action if exposures are at or above the action 
levels for lead or arsenic.
    6. Conduct breathing-zone sampling of affected workers for the 
entire work day (full shift) on days when workers use compressed air to 
clean crane motors. The full-shift sampling must include a separate 
sampling for the crane motor-cleaning operation, and a separate 
sampling for the portion of the shift that does not involve motor 
cleaning. This condition would assist KSW in identifying the source of 
elevated exposures (i.e., at or above the action level) that occur 
during the shift so that it can correct or implement appropriate 
exposure-control measures to reduce worker exposures below the action 
levels for lead and arsenic.
    7. Ensure that results for the two most recent rounds of full-shift 
sampling remain below the action levels for arsenic and lead. This 
condition ensures that KSW can maintain worker exposure levels below 
the action levels for lead and arsenic, thereby providing them with a 
safe and healthful workplace.
    8. Submit the breathing-zone samples for lead and arsenic 
particulates to an analytical laboratory that meets and complies with 
the certification criteria of the American Industrial Hygiene 
Association's Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing 
Program. This condition provides assurance that the laboratory is 
performing the testing of breathing-zone samples in accordance with 
recognized analytical standards to maintain the accuracy, reliability, 
and reproducibility of the sampling results. Accurate, reliable, and 
reproducible sampling results ensure that worker exposure 
determinations are valid.

Biological Monitoring

    9. Within 30 calendar days after workers perform a motor-cleaning 
operation, conduct biological monitoring for blood-lead and zinc-
protoporphyrin concentrations on every worker involved in that motor-
cleaning operation. Blood-lead sample analysis must be performed by a 
laboratory licensed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), or a laboratory that obtained a satisfactory grade in 
blood-lead proficiency testing from CDC within the prior 12 months and 
has an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95 percent) within 15 percent or 6 [mu]g/100 ml, whichever is greater. This 
condition provides information (in addition to exposure monitoring) 
regarding worker exposure to lead particulates while involved in the 
crane motor-cleaning operation, and demonstrates the effectiveness of 
the alternative means of compliance. This condition also provides 
assurance that the laboratory is performing the analysis of blood-lead 
samples in accordance with recognized analytical standards to maintain 
the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of the sampling results.
    10. Ensure that blood-lead results remain at or below 40 [mu]g 
lead/100 g whole blood. This condition supplements other conditions in 
providing information on the effectiveness of the alternative means of 
compliance, in addition to signaling the need to remove affected 
workers from the crane motor-cleaning operations in accordance with 29 
CFR 1910.1025(k) should the blood-lead results exceed 40 [mu]g lead/100 
g whole blood.
    11. Whenever KSW assigns a new worker to perform the crane motor-
cleaning operation, conduct biological monitoring of the worker prior 
to the worker beginning the cleaning operation. This condition 
establishes a baseline blood-lead level against which to compare 
subsequent biological samples and, thereby, assess the effectiveness of 
the alternative means of compliance.
    12. KSW will not assign any worker to the crane motor-cleaning 
operation who declines to undergo the biological-monitoring procedures. 
This condition prevents worker exposure to the motor-cleaning operation 
without the benefit of biological monitoring to assess over-exposure to 
lead particulates.

Notifications

    13. Provide written notification to affected workers of the results 
of their individual personal-exposure and biological-monitoring results 
in accordance with the requirements of the arsenic and lead standards 
(29 CFR 1910.1018(e)(5), 29 CFR 1910.1018(n)(6)(iii), 29 CFR 
1910.1025(d)(8) and 29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(3)(v)(A)(4)) within 15 working 
days from receipt of the results. The information provided to the 
affected workers will enable them to assess the effectiveness of the

[[Page 62877]]

alternative means of compliance, i.e., the adequacy of existing 
controls or the need for additional controls.
    14. Whenever (a) personal-exposure monitoring results are at or 
above the action levels for lead (30 [mu]g/m\3\) or arsenic (5 [mu]g/
m\3\), or (b) blood-lead monitoring results are above 20 [mu]g lead/100 
g whole blood, provide these results to OSHA's Peoria, IL, Area Office, 
OSHA's Chicago, IL, Regional Office, and OSHA's Office of Technical 
Programs and Coordination Activities within 15 working days of 
receiving the results, along with a written plan describing how KSW 
will reduce exposure levels or blood-lead levels. This condition will 
ensure that OSHA remains informed regarding the effectiveness of the 
alternative means of compliance, and will provide OSHA with an 
opportunity to assess KSW's plan to reduce exposures to lead and 
arsenic below the action levels for these substances. Under this 
condition, OSHA also can evaluate KSW's progress in restoring the 
effectiveness of the alternative means of compliance, and, if 
necessary, revise the conditions or revoke the variance should KSW not 
attain exposure levels below the action levels in a timely manner.
    15. At least 15 calendar days prior to commencing any operation 
that involves using compressed air to clean crane motors, inform OSHA's 
Peoria, IL, Area Office and OSHA's Chicago, IL, Regional Office of the 
date and time the operation will commence. This condition provides OSHA 
with an opportunity to conduct on-site assessments of KSW's compliance 
with the conditions of the variance, and to ascertain directly the 
effectiveness of the alternative means of compliance.
    16. Notify in writing OSHA's Office of Technical Programs and 
Coordination Activities as soon as KSW knows that it will: (a) Cease to 
do business; or (b) transfer the activities covered by the variance to 
a successor company. This condition allows OSHA to determine whether to 
revoke the variance or transfer the variance to the successor company.

Training

    17. Implement the worker-training programs described in 29 CFR 
1910.1018(o) and 29 CFR 1910.1025(l), including: (a) Initial training 
of new workers prior to their beginning a crane motor-cleaning 
operation; (b) yearly refresher training of all other workers involved 
in crane motor-cleaning operations; (c) documentation of this training; 
and (d) maintenance of the training records.\4\ This condition ensures 
that workers are knowledgeable regarding the hazards and corresponding 
hazard-control measures KSW implements to prevent worker exposure to 
harmful levels of airborne lead and arsenic particulates while engaged 
in the crane motor-cleaning. Training also provides workers with 
information necessary for them to assess KSW's compliance with the 
conditions of the variance and the effectiveness of the alternative 
means of compliance.
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    \4\ As described by KSW's Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium Control 
Program (see Exhibit 19).
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Miscellaneous Program Conditions

    18. Implement the: (a) Respiratory Protection Program that meets 
\5\ the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.134, 29 CFR 1910.1025(f), 
and 29 CFR 1910.1018(h); (b) provisions of KSW's Arsenic, Lead, & 
Cadmium Control Program; and (c) provisions of the Safe Job Procedure. 
This condition ensures that KSW will implement the programs and 
associated safe-work practices that prevent worker exposure to harmful 
levels of airborne lead and arsenic particulates while engaged in crane 
motor-cleaning operations, which are necessary for the continued 
effectiveness of the alternative means of compliance.
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    \5\ The term ``meets'' means that the Respiratory Protection 
Program must meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 
1910.1025(f), not that OSHA determined that the program meets these 
requirements.
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Monitoring Work Practices

    19. Ensure that supervisors observe and enforce applicable safe-
work practices \6\ while workers are cleaning crane motors, document 
these supervisor observations and enforcement activities, and maintain 
these records. This condition ensures that affected workers implement 
the required safe-work practices during crane-motors cleaning 
operations. This condition will permit OSHA, KSW managers, workers, and 
worker representatives to assess compliance with the conditions of the 
variance and, therefore, determine the effectiveness of the alternative 
means of compliance.
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    \6\ Examples of safe-work practices include use of personal-
protective equipment (including respirators, gloves, protective 
clothing) as defined by (a) KSW's Respiratory Protection Program; 
(b) provisions of KSW's Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium Control Program; 
and (c) provisions of KSW's Safe Job Procedure.
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Record Retention and Availability

    20. Retain any records generated under these conditions for a 
minimum period of five years, unless an applicable OSHA standard 
specifies a longer period,\7\ and make these records available to OSHA, 
affected workers, and worker representatives on request. This condition 
allows OSHA, KSW managers, workers, and worker representatives to 
assess the effectiveness of the alternative means of compliance over an 
extended period, and provides baseline measurements against which to 
evaluate the effectiveness of subsequent revisions made to the 
alternative means of compliance.
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    \7\ For example, Sec.  1910.1025(n)(1)(iii) and (n)(2)(iv) 
require employers to retain lead exposure-monitoring records and 
medical records for at least 40 years or for the duration of 
employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
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II. Variance From 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2)

    KSW seeks a permanent variance from the provisions of the OSHA 
standards that regulate occupational exposure to lead and arsenic, 
specifically paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 1910.1025 and paragraph 
(k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018. These paragraphs prohibit use of compressed 
air to clean floors and other surfaces where lead and arsenic 
particulates accumulate. These paragraphs specify the following 
requirements:

    29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i): Floors and other surfaces where lead 
accumulates may not be cleaned by the use of compressed air.
    29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2): Cleaning floors. Floors and other 
accessible surfaces contaminated with inorganic arsenic may not be 
cleaned by the use of compressed air, and shoveling and brushing may 
be used only where vacuuming or other relevant methods have been 
tried and found not to be effective.

    As an alternative to complying with housekeeping requirements as 
specified by 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2), KSW 
proposed to use compressed air supplemented by a vacuum-containment 
system discussed in section I (``Background'') of this notice to 
perform cleaning of crane-motor housings. KSW asserted that use of the 
proposed compressed air supplemented by a vacuum-containment system 
protected its workers as least as effectively as the housekeeping 
requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2).

III. Comments on the Variance Application

    The Federal Register notice (75 FR 38130) invited interested 
parties, including KSW and affected employees, to submit written data, 
views, and arguments regarding the grant or denial of the variance 
application submitted by

[[Page 62878]]

KSW. In addition, the Federal Register notice notified KSW and affected 
employees of their right to request a hearing on the application for a 
variance. OSHA received no comments on the variance application, nor 
did it receive any requests for a hearing.

IV. Decision

    Keystone Steel and Wire Company seeks a permanent variance from the 
provisions of the OSHA standards that regulate occupational exposure to 
lead and arsenic, specifically paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 1910.1025 
and paragraph (k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018. These paragraphs prohibit use 
of compressed air to clean floors and other surfaces where lead and 
arsenic particulates accumulate. Paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 
1910.1025 states that employers cannot use compressed air to clean 
floors and other surfaces where lead accumulates, while paragraph 
(k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018 prohibits employers from using compressed 
air to clean floors and other accessible surfaces contaminated with 
inorganic arsenic, and permits the use of shoveling and brushing for 
this purpose only after employers try vacuuming or other relevant 
methods and find these methods to be ineffective.
    As an alternative to complying with the housekeeping requirements 
specified by 29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2)(i) and 29 CFR 1910.1018(k)(2), KSW 
proposed to adopt an alternative means of compliance that consists, in 
part, of a compressed-air vacuum-containment system mounted on a truck. 
A worker begins the crane-motor cleaning operation by inserting the 
nozzle of the compressed-air gun into an opening in the housing, then 
triggers the compressed air. The vacuum-containment system, which the 
worker activates prior to beginning the motor-cleaning operation, 
generates exhaust airflow inside the crane-motor housing. The vacuum, 
delivered through a hose, has an exhaust volume of 5,000 cubic feet per 
minute, and collects the lead and arsenic particulates that the worker 
removes with compressed air from the interior components of the crane 
motor. The system then deposits the particulates in a hopper, also 
mounted on the truck.
    KSW designed a flanged end that fits over an opening in a housing 
that covers each crane motor. The vacuum hose is connected to, and is 
supported by, this flange. Thus, the combination of the housing, 
flanged end, compressed air, and the vacuum-containment system captures 
most of the fugitive particulates released during the motor-cleaning 
operation, thereby reducing worker exposure to airborne lead and 
arsenic.
    Under Section 6(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 
1970 (29 U.S.C. 655), and based on the record discussed above, the 
Agency finds that when KSW complies with the conditions of the 
following order, the working conditions of the KSW's workers will be at 
least as safe and healthful as if KSW complied with the working 
conditions specified by paragraphs (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 1910.1025 and 
(k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018. This decision is applicable in all States 
under Federal OSHA enforcement jurisdiction.

V. Order

    OSHA issues this order authorizing the Keystone Steel and Wire 
Company (hereafter, ``the employer'') to comply with the following 
conditions instead of complying with paragraphs (h)(2)(i) of 29 CFR 
1910.1025 and (k)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.1018. This order applies only in 
Federal OSHA enforcement jurisdictions, and does not permit the 
employer to vary compliance with any other provisions of 29 CFR 
1910.1025 and 29 CFR 1910.1018.

1. Scope of the Permanent Variance

    This permanent variance applies only at the employer's melt shop 
when using compressed air to clean crane motors during maintenance 
operations.

2. Engineering and Related Conditions

    (a) The employer must:
    (1) Use engineering controls (i.e., a compressed-air vacuum-
containment (CAVC) system) that maintain negative pressure inside the 
housing enclosing each crane motor when using compressed air to clean 
crane motors, and ensure that the vacuum-exhaust airflow leaving the 
enclosure exceeds the inflow of compressed air by maintaining the 
volume of compressed air below 5,000 cubic feet per minute.
    (b) Ensure that the:
    (1) Exhaust air in the CAVC system passes through a high-efficiency 
particulate air (HEPA) filtration system prior to discharge; and
    (2) Filtered exhaust does not reenter the work areas inside the 
plant.
    (c) Ensure the continued effectiveness of the alternative means of 
compliance by:
    (1) Performing a pre-use or yearly inspection (whichever occurs 
more frequently) of all equipment and components used in the cleaning 
operations; \8\
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    \8\ Examples of the equipment or components listed on the 
checklist include: air compressors; pressure regulators; gages; 
compressed-air hoses; nozzle-pressure reducer; crane-motor 
enclosures; flanges; vacuum-system operations, including the HEPA 
filtration system and replacement of used filters; vacuum hoses; and 
electric outlets and extension cords used during the cleaning 
process.
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    (2) Documenting such inspections using a checklist;
    (3) Replacing or repairing all defective parts and components; and
    (4) Maintaining records of inspections and corrective actions.
    (d) Before implementing revisions to the motor-cleaning process, 
modify the Safe Job Procedure accordingly, and inform affected workers 
of the modifications.

3. Exposure Monitoring

    The employer must:
    (a) Perform personal-exposure monitoring (i.e., breathing-zone 
sampling) of the workers for lead and arsenic particulates during the 
entire period they use compressed air to clean crane motors. For 
multiple crane motor-cleaning operations during the same maintenance 
cycle, perform such monitoring on at least two operations that are 
representative of exposures for all affected workers performing 
cleaning operations during the cycle.
    (b) Conduct breathing-zone sampling of affected workers for the 
entire work day (full shift) on days when workers use compressed air to 
clean crane motors. The full-shift sampling must include separate 
sampling during the crane motor-cleaning operation, and a separate 
sampling for the portion of the shift that does not involve motor 
cleaning.
    (c) Ensure that results for the two most recent rounds of full-
shift sampling remain below the action level for arsenic and lead.
    (d) Submit the breathing-zone samples for lead and arsenic 
particulates to an analytical laboratory that complies with the 
certification criteria of the American Industrial Hygiene Association's 
Industrial Hygiene Proficiency Analytical Testing Program.

4. Biological Monitoring

    The employer must:
    (a) Within 30 calendar days after workers perform a motor-cleaning 
operation, conduct biological monitoring for blood-lead and zinc-
protoporphyrin concentrations on every worker involved in that motor-
cleaning operation. Blood-lead sample analysis must be performed by a 
laboratory licensed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), or a laboratory that obtained a satisfactory grade in 
blood-lead proficiency testing from CDC within the prior 12 months

[[Page 62879]]

and has an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95 percent) within 15 percent or 6 [mu]g/100 ml, whichever is greater.
    (b) Ensure that blood-lead results remain at or below 40 [mu]g 
lead/100 g whole blood.
    (c) Whenever the employer assigns a new worker to perform the crane 
motor-cleaning operation, conduct biological monitoring of the worker 
prior to the worker beginning the cleaning operation.
    (d) Not assign any worker to the crane motor-cleaning operation who 
declines to undergo the biological-monitoring procedures.

5. Notifications

    (a) The employer must:
    (1) Provide written notification to affected workers of the results 
of their individual personal-exposure and biological-monitoring results 
in accordance with the requirements of the arsenic and lead standards 
(29 CFR 1910.1018(e)(5), 29 CFR 1910.1018(n)(6)(iii), 29 CFR 
1910.1025(d)(8), and 29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(3)(v)(A)(4)) within 15 working 
days from receipt of the results.
    (2) Whenever personal-exposure monitoring results are at or above 
the action levels for lead (30 [mu]g/m\3\) or arsenic (5 [mu]g/m\3\), 
or blood-lead monitoring results are above 20 [mu]g lead/100 g whole 
blood, provide these results to OSHA's Peoria, IL, Area Office, OSHA's 
Chicago, IL, Regional Office, and OSHA's Office of Technical Programs 
and Coordination Activities within 15 working days of receiving the 
results, along with a written plan describing how the employer will 
reduce exposure levels or blood-lead levels.
    (3) At least 15 calendar days prior to commencing any operation 
that involves using compressed air to clean crane motors, inform OSHA's 
Peoria, IL, Area Office and OSHA's Chicago, IL, Regional Office of the 
date and time the operation will commence.
    (b) Notify in writing OSHA's Office of Technical Programs and 
Coordination Activities as soon as the employer knows that it will:
    (1) Cease to do business; or
    (2) Transfer the activities covered by this grant to a successor 
company.

6. Training

    The employer must implement the worker-training programs described 
in 29 CFR 1910.1018(o) and 29 CFR 1910.1025(l), including:
    (a) Initial training of new workers prior to their beginning a 
crane motor-cleaning operation;
    (b) Yearly refresher training of all other workers involved in 
crane motor-cleaning operations;
    (c) Documentation of this training; and
    (d) Maintenance of the training records.\9\
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    \9\ As described by KSW's Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium Control 
Program.
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7. Miscellaneous Program Conditions

    The employer must implement the:
    (a) Respiratory Protection Program that meets the requirements 
specified by 29 CFR 1910.134, and 29 CFR 1910.1025(f), and 29 CFR 
1910.1018(h);
    (b) Provisions of the employer's Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium Control 
Program; and
    (c) Provisions of the Safe Job Procedure.

8. Monitoring Work Practices

    The employer must ensure that supervisors:
    (a) Observe and enforce applicable safe-work practices \10\ while 
workers are cleaning crane motors;
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    \10\ Examples of safe-work practices include use of personal-
protective equipment (including respirators, gloves, protective 
clothing) as defined by (a) KSW's Respiratory Protection Program; 
(b) provisions of KSW's Arsenic, Lead, & Cadmium Control Program; 
and (c) provisions of KSW's Safe Job Procedure.
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    (b) Document these supervisor observations and enforcement 
activities; and
    (c) Maintain these records.

9. Record Retention and Availability

    The employer must:
    (a) Retain any records generated under the conditions specified in 
this grant for a minimum period of five years, unless an applicable 
OSHA standard specifies a longer period; \11\ and
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    \11\ For example, Sec.  1910.1025(n)(1)(iii) and (n)(2)(iv) 
require employers to retain lead exposure-monitoring records and 
medical records for at least 40 years or for the duration of 
employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer.
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    (b) Make these records available to OSHA, affected workers, and 
worker representatives on request.

VI. Authority and Signature

    David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC, directed the preparation of 
this notice. OSHA is issuing this notice under the authority specified 
by Section 6(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 
U.S.C. 655), Secretary of Labor's Order No. 4-2010 (75 FR 55355), and 
29 CFR part 1905.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2010.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2010-25739 Filed 10-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P