Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310607114 - Flex Temp Corporation Dba Labor Finders

Inspection Information - Office: San Bernardino District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was a nonunion, contracted temporary employee of employer Number 2 who had been assigned to work for employer Number 1 as a laborer erecting large rental tents in military training areas. These sites were in unimproved operational desert training areas around the main base. The maximum temperature in the area reached 113 degrees Fahrenheit at approximately 4:00 p.m. on July 8, 2008. Employee #1 worked for approximately six hours moving and assembling tent components. At approximately 3:00 p.m. he was too tired to continue. At Employee #1's request, the supervisor released him from the work assignment. Employee #1 chose to remain at the remote work site in a nonworking status sitting in a car waiting for the three other temporary employees from employer Number 2 until their work shift was completed (9:00 p.m.). At approximately 10:30 p.m. while Employee #1 and the other temporary employees were preparing to leave, Employee #1 became very ill and requested emergency medical assistance. Employee #1 was initially seen at the Army Community Hospital and was transferred overnight to a Regional Medical Center. On July 9, 2009, Employee #1 was treated for renal failure and dehydration. Employee #1's condition worsened during the day and he was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. on July 9, 2008 when he could not be resuscitated following his fourth cardiac arrest. The coroner's report identified acute renal failure as the cause of death with contributing cause of hypertension and dehydration.

Keywords: HEAT, HEAT EXHAUSTION, KIDNEY