Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: HEAT

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat stress: a) Employees in the hull grinding area were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat stress while grinding hulls with pneumatic grinders. Typically, this operation involves the wearing of a Tyvek coverall taped at the sleeves to PVA gloves and at the legs to boots. In addition hearing protection, a face shield and a negative pressure respirator are worn, Tyvek is hooded. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGI), recorded during a survey on 9/10/87, ranged from a low of 26.0 degrees centigrade to 27.8 degrees centigrade in the grinding room. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat induced ilnesses: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps, and behavioral disorders, as correlated to the guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Among other methods, one feasible and useful abatement method would be to implement changes in work practice. Specifically, the hull grinding operation could be confined to night time, evening and early morning hours; or to times when ambient temperatures are cooler. A second method would be to limit exposure to excessive heat through a work/rest regimine, as described in the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists booklet of Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices for 1986-1987. This work/rest regimine should be based on established mean temperature readings in the work area. A water supplementation schedule presented in such a manner that employees are stimulated to drink small amounts of a cool liquid every 15 to 20 minutes will serve to augment any control measures used. Other considerations include an assessment of physical fitness and acclimatization of employees, as well as, the type of clothing and personal protective equipment when working under hot environmental conditions. Training of employees and supervision in the recognition and treatment of heat related illness prior to being placed in the hot work environment is also recommended. An additional method could be to utilize a supplied air vortex to a suit, helmet or vest.