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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm in that workers were exposed to heat related hazards without adequate provisions to protect them. a) Tobacco fields and metal barns--Six migrant farm workers were exposed to dangerous heat conditions without the opportunity to adequately hydrate or cool down. Among others, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to follow established guidelines for the prevention of heat related injuries, such as those published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National AG Safety Database (NASD), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Examples of these feasible and acceptable methods include, but are not limited to: 1) Permitting workers to drink water at liberty. 2) Establishing provisions for a work/rest regimen so that exposure time to high temperatures and/or the work rate is decreased. 3) Developing a heat stress program which incorporates the following at a minimum: a. A training program informing employees about the effects of heat stress, and how to recognize heat-related illness symptoms and prevent heat-induced illnesses. b. A screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by elevated environmental 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 administered immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.