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 excessive levels of heat stress while working on forming crews and the clean-up crew. Such exposure(s) may lead to the development of serious heat induced illness(es), such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope, heat rash and transient heat fatigue. (a) for employees performing heavy work while on the clean-up crew on July 20th and August 12, 1998, at 6949 Lowbid Lane, San Antonio, Texas. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index in the production area ranged from 82$F to greater than 90$F during the 45 minute and 5.5 hour sampling periods, respectively. The estimated metabolic workload for these employees put them in the heavy workload category as correlated with the guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The clean-up crew was responsible for sweeping and raking the excess concrete and scrap metals from between the different beds and then shoveling the material into the bucket of a back-hoe. (b) for employees performing moderate work while on the forming crews on July 20th and August 12, 1998, at 6949 Lowbid Lane, San Antonio, Texas. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index in the production area ranged from 82$F to greater than 90$F during the 45 minute and 5.5 hour sampling periods, respectively. The estimated metabolic workload for these employees put them in the moderate workload category as correlated with the guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The forming crews were responsible for laying out rebar and wire mesh, securing it and then casting the product. Casting involves tasks such as: ensuring even distribution of the concrete by guiding the chute, raking and/or shoveling the concrete, operating the vibration unit and/or operating the mechanical floating devices. Means of feasible abatement include, but may not be limited to: 1.) Establishment of provisions for a work/rest regimen so that exposure time to high temperatures is decreased and/or the work rate is decreased. 2.) Adjusting the work periods such that the more vigorous tasks (such as casting the concrete and sweeping and shoveling during clean-up) are NOT performed during the peak temperatures of the day. 3.) Development of a formal heat stress program which incorporates: (a) a training program informing employees about the effects of heat stress, symptoms of heat-induced illnesses, and prevention of heat-induced illnesses; (b) use of heat stress instruments to monitor the work environment; (c) an acclimation program for new employees and employees returning from periods of absence of three or more days; (d) a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by elevated temperatures; (e) provisions for providing cool drinking water and/or electrolytes; and, (f) provisions to provide rest areas with cooler temperatures.