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

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1): Duties of Employers. Every employer shall furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees: (a)Employees were exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat from the sun during the performance of their duties at 709 Canyon Greens Drive in Las Vegas, which included mowing, trimming and blowing of the residential lawn directly under the Sun. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat- related illness such as Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramp etc which can lead to cardiac arrest. On September 8, 2011, the Las Vegas max temperature was 102 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity was 7 percent at 3:22 p.m. as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Based upon the information, the calculated heat index was at 95 (35 degree centigrade) degrees Fahrenheit. As per the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the heat index of 95 degrees Fahrenheit was above the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Heat Stress Exposure for 50% to 75 % allocation of work in a cycle of work and recovery with employee work activities at a heavy level. On September 8, 2011, an employee of Avage Lawn Maintenance suffered cardiac arrest and died. Employees received no heat stress training. ACGIH Physical Agent standard for Thermal Stress includes Heat Stress and Heat Strain issues. Feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard include, but are not limited to training employees about the effects of heat-related illness, how to report and recognize heat-related illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-related illnesses. Also, providing specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergency situations and procedures for first aid administered immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.