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

The employer is not limited to abatement methods suggested by OSHA, i.e., methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. Other methods of abatement may be equally or more appropriate. Ultimate responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement method rests with the employer, given its superior knowledge of the specific conditions on this worksite. 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 levels of heat stress in excess of those specified in the 1991-1992 edition of Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents, a publication of the American conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, which could in turn lead to heat stroke and exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope or transient heat fatigue. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to implement a comprehensive heat stress prevention program for all employees working in potential heat stress environments. Such a program should include, but is not limited to, the following elements: 1. The provision of medical screening to identify those employees with medical conditions that would be aggravated by work in a heat stress enviornment. 2. Regular training during the months of exposure to high work- place heat levels for all employees working in potential heat stress environments, covering symptoms, appropriate first aid measures, and preventative measures. 3. The provision, and mandatory use, of appropriate personal protective equipment to provide auxiliary body cooling. 4. The implementation of a structured work-rest regimen, so formulated as to minimize the possibility of heat stress. 5. The provision of a supervised program of regular consumption of drinking water during heavy work operations, such as during trips and when running drill collars into or out of the hole.