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

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 employee(s) in that employee(s) were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat: a) 151 Foods LLC, Production Area, Oven Line 7: On or about July 3 and 4, 2020 employees performing continuous moderate work, including loading and unloading boards on the conveyor belt for Oven Line 7, were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat generated by the baking process and multiple ovens in the production area operating at temperatures from 550 to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. The employer also requires employees to wear cloth smocks over their street clothes. Temperature monitoring was done in the area and a Heat Index of 106 degrees Fahrenheit was observed, which exceeds safe levels of exposure. Such exposure may lead to the development of heat related illness such as heat stroke, heat stress, heat exhaustion or death. On July 3, 2020 an employee died from hyperthermia with a core body temperature of 109 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the employee was not acclimated to the hot environment, having started his employment on July 1, 2020. On July 4, 2020 another employee became ill and was transported to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with heat stress