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

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 workers, in that workers were exposed to excessive heat: On or about August 1, 2012, full time and temporary employees of A.H. Sturgill Roofing, Inc. were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat from working on a commercial roof in the direct sun during the performance of their duties which included removial of roofing material, tossing the material off the roof into a dump truck, and installation of new roofing material. The employer had not developed and implemented an adequate heat-related illness prevention program. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. A temporary employee working on the roof in the direct sun throwing roofing material off the roof into a dump truck developed heat stroke as a result of working on the project, his first day with the company. The employee began work between 6:00 am and 6:30 am on August 1, 2012. At approximately 11:41 am the employee collapsed and emergency medical assistance was summoned. On August 22, 2012, the employee died due to complications from heat stroke. NOAA Heat Index values for the morning of August 1, 2012 at the time of the employee's collapse were approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. NOAA Heat Index values are devised for shady, light wind conditions, and it has been noted that exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The employer failed to develop and implement a heat-related illness prevention program which adequately addressed appropriate clothing for working conditions, a formalized work/rest schedule, worksite monitoring, guidelines for removing employees from hazardous conditions, and acclimatization for new or returning employees. Feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard include, but are not limited to: 1. Develop guidelines for employees to wear loosely worn reflective clothing to deflect radiant heat and/or by providing cooling vests or wetted garments in high temperature and low humidity conditions. Remove employees from hazardous conditions when/if guidelines are not being followed. 2. Develop a formalized work/rest regimen based on environmental working conditions. Remove employees from hazardous conditions when/if rest breaks are not being taken. 3. Develop a work practice for monitoring employees for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. 4. Develop guidelines for removal of employees from hazardous conditions when recognized through worksite monitoring. 5. Develop a formalized acclimatization work practice which includes the element of reduced time to hazardous conditions in addition to a reduction in work-load.