Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 101744399
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Date: 06/01/1988 X
Initial Penalty: $810.00
Current Penalty: $405.00
Issuance Date: 09/01/1987
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 15
Related Event Code (REC):
Gravity:
Report ID: 0420600
Contest Date: 09/24/1987
Final Order: 05/06/1988
Emphasis:
Substance: 8330
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | F: Formal Settlement | 05/06/1988 | $405.00 | 06/01/1988 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 09/01/1987 | $810.00 | 09/03/1987 | Serious |
Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: HEAT
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 employees in that employees in the sulphur unloading area were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat stress while preparing rail tank cars containing sulphur to be unloaded. Typically, this operation involves two men; one man works on top of the tank car and one man works on the ground, up to fourteen (14) tank cars are prepared for unloading. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, (WBGT), recorded during surveys July 13 and July 14, 1987, measured from a low of 30 degrees Celsius a high of 33.1 degrees Celsius. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat induces illnesses: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, cramps, and behavioral disorders, as correlated to guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Among other methods one feasible and acceptable abatement method would be to implement changes in work practice, specifically, the sulphur unloading operation could be continued to early morning hours, 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m., or late afternoon, 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., when temperatures are cooler. Limiting exposure to excessive heat through a work/rest regimen, as described in the American Conference of Governmental Hygienists booklet of threshold limit values and biological exposure indices for 1986 - 1987, is another method of heat stress control. This work/rest regimen should be based on established mean temperature readings in the work area. Water supplementation schedule presented in such a way employees are stimulated to drink small amounst of a cool liquid every 15 to 20 minutes will serve to augment any control measures used. Other considerations include physical fitness and acclimatization of employees, as well as the type of clothing worn when working under hot environmental conditions. Training of employees in the recognition and treatment of heat related illness prior to being placed in the work environment is also recommended.
Translate