OSHA Inspection: J. W. GIBSON WELL SERVICE

Issued

Oct 2, 1990

Abate by

Nov 2, 1990

Penalty

Initial $910 · Current $910

General-duty citation text

SECTION 5(A)(1)OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFTEY 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 WERE EXPOSED TO
EXTREME CONDITIONS WHICH PRECIPITATED HEAT STROKE.
A) ON OR ABOUT JULY 9, 1990, THE FLOORMAN PERFORMING WRENCHING
OPERATIONS ATTHE SE SW SEC. 1-T15 S-R 45W WELL SUFFERED SEVERE
HEAT STRESS. THIS UNACCLIMATIZED, OIL COVERED EMPLOYEE WAS ENGAGED
IN HEAVY WORK OPERATIONS UNDER HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS WITHOUT
TAKING ADEQUATE REST BREAKS; WITHOUT RECEIVING ADEQUATE TRAINING
ON RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESSES; AND WITHOUT HAVING
ADEQUATE FLUID/ELECTROLYE REPLACEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INCREASED
METABOLIC LOAD.
ABATEMENT METHODS: AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE
METHOD TO CORRECT THE HAZARD IS TO IMPLEMENT A HEAT-STRESS MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT NECESSARILY
LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
1) ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR A DECLARATION OF A HEAT ALERT, RELYING ON THE
FORECAST INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
2) ENSURE EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS ARE PROPERLY TRAINED ON THE WORK
PRACTICES TO BE FOLLOWED DURING A HEAT-ALERT EMERGENCY.
3) INTRODUCE NEW WORKER GRADUALLY TO ALLOW ACCLIMATIZATION.
4) INCREASE REST ALLOWANCES BY DEVELOPING WORK/REST REGIMES BASED ON
AMBIENT TEMPERATURES.
5) PROVIDE AND ENCOURAGE WORKERS TO DRINK WATER/ELECTROLYTES IN SMALL
AMOUNTS FREQUENTLY THROUGHOUT THE WORK SHIFT; E.G. COOLERS W/ICE.
6) MONITOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEAT AT JOB SITES AND RESTING PLACES SUCH AS
THE DOG HOUSE AND ENSURE THESE LOCATIONS ARE EQUIPPED WITH FANS TO
REDUCE THE EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES; E.G. THERMOMETER.
7) ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE PROPERLY TRAINED IN SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES; THE APPROPRIATE FIRST AID METHODS TO TREAT
SYMPTOMS; THE PROPER TECHNIQUES OF REPORTING MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND
ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATE TREATMENT OF MEDICAL FIRST AID
SUPPLIES AS REQUIRED.
8) PROPERLY TRAIN EMPLOYEES ON THE ELEMENTS OF THE HEAT STRESS
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
9) ESTABLISHMENT OF A MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM WHICH SCREENS
EMPLOYEES FOR HEAT TOLERANCE.