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: (a)The employer did not protect employees from the recognized hazards of heat exhaustion and heat stroke on or about August 16, 1999, while employees perform aircraft loading, unloading, and outdoor ramp operations. JobDateTime SampledWBGTTLVWork Load Descr.Assessment Customer 8/16/9925 minutes80.780ModerateService Continuous Rep. (Ramp 6 min.87.3) (Pit 19 min.79.0) The employer is not limited to the 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 its worksite. Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard include: (1)Establishing an acclimatization program for employees. (2)Establishing a mandatory work/rest schedule for employees. (3)Establishing a heat monitoring program for employees. (4)Installing shields and/or insulation between heat sources and employees. (5)Establishing an initial and an annual heat stress training program for all high risk employees. The program shall address at a minimum the following: a.Sources of heat transfer, i.e. metabolism, radiation, convection. b.Physiological responses to heat and first aid measures to take to alleviate symptoms. c.Physical indications that a worker should remove himself/herself from the job. d.Administrative and work practice controls in use such as diet, salt intake, acclimation... e.Medical and social conditions that affect heat tolerance: i.e. acute or chronic illness, alcohol intake, drugs. f.Description of the Heat Stress Program and responsibilities of enforcement. (6)Providing ice and/or water-cooled garments for employees. (7)Assigning and utilizing relief workers and/or extra workers to reduce heat stress on the employees. (8)Establishing a water/electrolyte replenishment program for employees. (9)Establishing an appropriate medical surveillance program for employees.ce