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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 excessive heat while working outside performing concrete operations: On or about June 13, 2017, at the worksite located at 9000 Reservoir Road, Nashville, Illinois, employees were exposed to excessive heat, working outdoors in the direct sun, while setting up wall forms weight 40 to 80 pounds for concrete to be poured on a residential structure. NOAA Heat Index values for the afternoon of June 13, 2017 at the time of the employee's collapse were approximately 97.9 degrees Fahrenheit. NOAA Heat Index values are devised for shady, light wind conditions, and it has been noted that exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. On June 13, 2017, an employee exhibited symptoms of heat related illness after approximately 6 hours of work, and become unresponsive. The employer did not develop and implement an adequate heat-related illness prevention program that addressed the appropriate actions and steps to take when an employee showed signs of heat-related illness. The employer failed to recognize and/or to act on symptoms of heat-related illness and failed to take the steps necessary to obtain medical assistance and treatment. Additionally, because the employer's heat-related illness prevention efforts failed to conform to an adequate heat related illness prevention program, it did not, among other things, provide a formal work/rest schedule based on available environmental measurements such as temperature and relative humidity, provide a system for monitoring workers conditions throughout the work day, or provide procedures to properly acclimatize workers to the heat.