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 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) Laundry Area: On or about 05/31/2013, employees performing moderate work for approximately 6 hours each day (including folding hot laundry, lifting laundry bags, loading and unloading washers and dryers), were exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat from various sources, including outdoor environmental conditions and four Huebsch Natural Gas powered Tumble Dryers, and a Dexter Industrial Washer. On May 31, 2013, WBGT in the Laundry Area measured as high as 90 degrees, which is above the 2011 ACGIH Threshold Limit Value of 82.4 degrees. Employees had previously complained to management that the Laundry Area becomes extremely hot and that they had experienced symptoms of heat-related illness in the past, including nausea, dizziness and headache. Further, management performs a daily walk through the laundry facility and admitted that the area gets excessively hot due in part to lack of air ventilation and the heat generated by the various machines. The excessive heat in the Laundry Area caused or was likely to cause heat-related illness such as heat fatigue, heat stress and heat stroke. A number of employees had experienced symptoms of heat illness, including headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. The employer did not implement feasible means of abatement, including but not limited to: instituting a work/rest regimen, providing readily accessible potable water, providing sufficient engineering controls to reduce heat and increase ventilation, such as air conditioning or sufficient fans, and did not provide training and information to employees on (a) the effects of excessive heat exposure, (b) methods for reducing heat-related illness, or (c) the signs, symptoms and treatment of heat related illness. NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.