OSHA Inspection: ARIUS SECURITY CORP.

Issued

Nov 12, 1991

Abate by

Mar 31, 1992

Penalty

Initial $975 · Current $575 Reduced

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:
%%
(a) Excessive heat in the warehouse - For continuous work, the
American Conferences of Givernmental Industrial Hygienist permissible
heat exposure limit is 80 degrees farenheit Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
Index (WBGT)for a moderate work load.  Readings taken on 9/17/91,
indicated an average value of 81.75 degrees farenheit WBGT.  This
is 1.75 degrees farenheit WBGT above the Standard.
%%
Ways the company may prevent heat stress includes but are not
limited to the following:
%%
1. Acclimatization to the heat through short exposures followed
by longer periods of work in the hot environment can reduce heat stress.
New employees and workers returning from an absence of two weeks
more should have a 5-day period of acclimatization.  This period
should begin with 50 percent of the normal workload and work time
the first day gradually build up to 100 percent on the fifth day.
%%
2. A variety of engineering controls including general ventilation
and spot cooling by local exhaust ventilation at points of high
heat production may be helpful.  Shielding is required as protection
from radiant heat sources.  Evaporative cooling and mechanical
refrigeration are other ways to reduce heat.  Cooling fans can
also help.  Equipement modifications, the use of power tools to
reduce manual labor and using personal cooling devices or
protective clothing are other ways to reduce head exposure
for workers.
%%
3. Work practices such as providing a periods of acclimitization for
new workers and those returning from two weeks absences and making
plenty of drinking water -- as much as a quart per worker per hour -
available at the workplace can help reduce the risk of heat
disorders.  Training first aid workers to recognize and treat heat
stress disorders and making the names of the trained staff known to
all workers is essential.  Employers should also consider individual
workers' physical conditions when determining their fitness for
working in hot environments.  Older workers, obese workers, and
personnel on some types of medication are at greater risk.
%%
4.  Alternating work and rest periods with longer rest periods in a
cool ares can help workers avoid heat stress.  if possible heavy work
should be scheduled during the cooler parts of the day and
appropriate protective clothing provided.  Supervisors should be
trained to detect early signs of heat strain and should permit
workers to interrupt their work if they are extremely incomfortable.
%%
5.  Employee education is vital so that workers are aware of the
need to replace fluids and salt lost through sweat and can recognize
dehydration, exhaustion, fainting, heat cramps, salt eficiency,
heat exhaustion, and heat stroke as heat disorders.  Workers should
also be informed of the importance of daily weighing before and
after work to avoid dehydration.
%%

Issued

Nov 12, 1991

Abate by

Dec 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $975 · Current $400 Reduced

Issued

Nov 12, 1991

Abate by

Dec 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $900 · Current $900

Issued

Nov 12, 1991

Abate by

Dec 16, 1991

Penalty

Initial $900

Issued

Nov 12, 1991

Abate by

Dec 16, 1991