OSHA Inspection: CLOW WATER SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Issued

Jan 22, 1990

Abate by

May 1, 1990

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $1,000

General-duty citation text

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 were exposed to:
The employer, as of August 16, 1989, had not implemented a thorough
effective program to deal with heat stress at the facility.
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, in their
"Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices for 1987-1988"
publication, has adopted "Permissible Heat Exposure Threshold Limit
Values" (degree centigrade Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WGBT) which
include:
For continuous work: light work load = 30.0
moderate work load = 26.7
heavy work load = 25.0
For 75% work 25% rest each hour: light work load = 30.6
moderate work load = 28.0
heavy work load = 25.9
Workers at the facility were exposed to heat stress as follows:
a) On August 16, 1989, the iron pourer, line #3 in the Pipe Shop, was
exposed to heat stress in that he did moderate to heavy work and was
exposed to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 30 degrees C (86 degrees
F) (calculated 8 hr. time-weighted average) which should not have
exceeded 28.0 degress C (82.4 degrees F) to 25.9 degress C (78.6
degress F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for
other factors, such as the wearing of heavy garments, fitness, age,
or employee health conditions.
b) On August 16, 1989, the trough man, line #3 in the Pipe Shop, was
exposed to heat stress in that he did moderate to heavy work and was
exposed to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 34 degrees C (93.2 degrees
F) (calculated 8hr. time-weighted average) which should not have
exceeded 28 degree C (82.4 degrees F) to 25.9 degrees C (78.6 degrees
F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for other
functions such as the wearing or heavy garments, fitness, age, or
employee health conditions.
c) On August 16, 1989, the trough man, line #5 in the Pipe Shop, was
exposed to heat stress in that he did moderate to heavy work and was
exposed to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 30 degrees C (86 degrees
F) (calcualted 8 hr. time-weighted average) which should not have
exceeded 28 degrees C (82.4 degrees F) to 25.9 degress C (78.6
degrees F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for
other functions such as the wearing of heavy garments, fitness, age,
or employee health conditions.
d) As of August 16, 1989, the trough man, line #6, in the Pipe Shop,
was exposed to heat stress in that he did moderate to heavy work and
was exposed to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 29 degress C
(calculated 8 hr. time-weighted average) which should not have
exceeded 28.0 degrees C (82.4 degrees F) to 25.9 degrees C (78.6
degrees F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for
other functions such as the wearing of heavy garments, fitness, age,
or employee health conditions.
e) On August 16, 1989, the machine operator, line #3, in the Pipe Shop,
was exposed to heat stress in that he did light to heavy work and
was exposed to a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 34 degrees C (93.2
degrees F) (calculated 8hr. time-weighted average) which should not
have exceeded 30.6 degrees C (87.1 degrees F) to 25.9 degrees C (78.6
degrees F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for
other functions, such as the wearing of heavy garments, fitness, age,
or employee health conditions.
f) On August 16, 1989, the de-sulpheriation ladle tender was exposed to
heat stress in that he did moderate to heavy work and was exposed to
a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of 33 degrees C (91.4 degrees F)
(calculated 8 hr. time-weighted average) which should not have
exceeded 28 degree C (82.4 degrees F) to 25.9 degrees C (78.6 degrees
F) per the ACGIH standard. The standard does not allow for other
functions such as the wearing of heavy garments, fitness, age or
employee health conditions.
Methods of abatement could include, but are not restricted to:
-Implement a more thorough heat stress training program, emphasizing
recognition of heat stress symptoms and importance of water
consumption.
-Provide an air-conditioned rest area.
-Implement a work-rest regimen in accordance with the ACGIH Adopted
Threshold Limit Values for Heat Stress for each hour of the
workshift.
-Implement an acclimitization program for new employees.
-Give employees pre-assignment and periodic physical examinations by
a qualified physician to determine employee fitness for work in hot
environments.
-Monitor the environment for heat on a periodic basis.
-Provide ample cool, clean drinking water; and, salt replacement if
needed.
-Provide cool vests or other personal equipment to employees in hot
environments where heavy garments are needed.

Issued

Jan 22, 1990

Abate by

Mar 30, 1990

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $500

Issued

Jan 8, 1990

Abate by

Feb 8, 1990

Issued

Jan 8, 1990

Abate by

Feb 8, 1990