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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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 heat: a)On or about 08/09/10, at times prior thereto, field techs performing the task of archeological digs at the White Kitchens and Fall City Project, were subjected to the recognized hazards of excessive levels of heat. Exposure to excessive levels of heat may result in serious heat induced illnesses which include: transient heat fatigue, heat rash, fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious of these illnesses and can result in death. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO ESTABLISH A HEAT STRESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WHICH INCORPORATES GUIDELINES FROM THE ACGIH'S THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES AND BIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE INDICES AND/OR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) DOCUMENT, "WORKING IN HOT ENVIRONMENTS." SUCH A PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: 1. ACCLIMATIZING EMPLOYEES BEGINNING WORK IN HOT ENVIRONMENT OR THOSE RETURNING FROM ABSENT PERIODS OF THREE OR MORE DAYS, 2. DEVELOPING A WORK/REST REGIMENT, 3. PROVIDING COOL WATER AND ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO DRINK 5 TO 7 OUNCES OF FLUID EVERY 15 TO 20 MINUTES-RATHER THAN RELYING ON THIRST, 4. PROVIDING FOR A COOL REST AREA, 5. PROVIDING TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH HEAT STRESS, SYMPTOMS OF HEAT INDUCED ILLNESSES AND THE METHODS OF PREVENTING SUCH ILLNESSES AND, 6. ESTABLISH A SCREENING PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY HEALTH CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE TO HEAT STRESS.