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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupatioanl 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: a) Employees in the "hot end" of the glass plant were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat stress during the performance of their duties operating and maintaining the equipment used to manufacture glass bottles. Typcially, during the operation of the equipment the worker rotates between his desk, the front end of the equipment and the back side of the equipment. b) The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGT-IN) recorded during a survey on September 1, 1987 from a low of 28.5 degrees Centigrade to a high of 38.4 degrees Centigrade. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat induced illnesses such as: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps and behavioral disorders, as correlated to guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. c) Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to provide shielding or barriers that are radiant reflecting, heat-absorbing between the heat source and the worker. d) Another method would be to limit exposure time by implementing a work/rest regimen which requires mandatory, regularly scheduled breaks for employees in the "hot end". e) A water supplementation schedule presented in such a way employees are stimulated to drink five to seven ounces of liquid every fifteen to twenty minutes will serve to augment any control measures used. f) Other considerations include physical fitness and acclimatization of employees, as well as the type of clothing worn when working in hot environmental conditions. g) Training of employees in the recognition and treatment of heat related illness and the effects of non-occupational factors such as: drugs, alcohol, and physical fitness is also recommended.