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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: 1)Employer Elton McPherson failed to provide training to employees in the recognition and severity of heat stress, heat stroke and heat exhaustion symptoms. Employer Elton McPherson failed to recognize and treat symptoms of heat stress, and the subsequent heat exhaustion of migrant farm worker Aparicio Irete Amilcar. Employer Elton McPherson stated immediate emergency first aid was not requested for the victim Aparicio Irete Amilcar until after harvested tobacco leaves were first transported to the tobacco barns. The amount of time elapsed between onset of symptoms and the request for emergency medical assistance was between 30 and 45 minutes. One reasonable and acceptable method of abatement is to provide training in the recognition and serious nature of heat stress and heat stroke symptoms. Such training should consist of recognition and treatment for the recognized hazard of heat stress, heat stroke and be taught by an appropriate medical authority.e