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

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 heat stress conditions while harvesting vegetables. Exposure to excessive heat can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and/or death. Before noon on July 25, 1999, employees were exposed to heat stress conditions while harvesting cucumbers. The ambient temperature was approximately 93 degrees F, relative humidity was approximately 53and the heat index was 102 F. This resulted in an employee suffering heat stroke and subsequently dying on July 26, 1999. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards include: 1) Establishing provisions for a work/rest regimen so that exposure time to high temperatures is decreased and/or the work rate is decreased; permitting workers to drink water at liberty. 2) Developing a heat stress program which incorporates the following: a) a training program informing employees about the effects of heat stress, recognition of heat-related illness symptoms, and prevention methods of heat-induced illnesses; b) a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by elevated temperatures; c) an acclimation program for new employees or employees returning to work from absences of three or more days; d) specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergency situations; e) provisions that first aid be immediately administered to employees displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.