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: a) On or about 8-9-2006, at the jobsite located at 1 Barge Avenue, Tampa, Florida, where employees working as shipfitters and welders at extreme hot temperatures were exposed to the hazards associated with heat stress. One feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to develop and implement an effective heat stress program that includes, but is not limited to: providing adequate amounts of cool potable water and electrolyte replacements in the work area and requiring employees to drink frequently; a work/rest regimen so that exposure time to high temperatures and/or the work rate is decreased and/or rest periods are increased in length and frequency; a training program informing employees about the effects of heat stress, how to recognize heat-related illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-induced illnesses; a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by elevated environmental temperatures; a heat acclimation program for new employees or employees returning to work from absences of three or more days; providing a cooler area where heat-affected employees may recover when signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses are recognized and/or reported; ensuring that adequately trained personnel are available at the work site to treat workers that develop signs or symptoms of heat- related illnesses such as heat stroke; specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergency situations; and provisions that first aid be administered immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat related illnesses.