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

Section 5(a)(1): The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was free of recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to excessive heat: On or about August 23, 2011 and at times prior thereto, Laborers for Garden Center Maintenance performing the tasks of constructing the Clear Span Building at the job site located at 5015 Highway 7 in Davis, Oklahoma were subjected to the recognized hazard of excessive heat. 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. acclimating employees beginning work in hot environments or those returning from absent periods of three or more days, 2. developing a work/rest regiment, 3.providing cool water and requiring employees to drink 5-7 ounces of fluid every 15-20 minutes-rather than relying on thirst, 4. providing cool rest areas, 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.