OSHA Inspection: BOYER NURSERY & ORCHARDS, INCORPORATED

Issued

Aug 20, 2010

Abate by

Sep 15, 2010

Penalty

Initial $2,500

Hazardous substances 8330

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 heat-related hazards without adequate provisions to
protect them:
(a)Boyer Nursery and Orchards, Incorporated - Employees were exposed to
hot and
humid conditions while pulling weeds in a fruit tree nursery field and one
employee died from hyperthermia on July 8, 2010.  The employer failed to
train
employees in the control of heat stress and in the recognition,
prevention, and
treatment of heat illnesses, on or about July 9, 2010.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this
hazard is to
follow established guidelines for the prevention of heat-related
disorders, such as those
published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
National
AG Safety
Database (NASD), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), and
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Examples of these
feasible and
acceptable methods include, but are not limited to:  1)  Developing a heat
stress training
program to inform employees about the effects of heat stress and how to
recognize heat-
related symptoms and prevent heat-induced illnesses.  2)  Training
employees to stay
hydrated by drinking 5 to 7 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes
throughout the work
day and avoiding drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar.
3)
Instructing employees to wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable
clothing, such as
cotton.  4)  Implementing a screening program to determine any causal
factors that may
effect the employee's heat illness susceptibility.  5)  Establishing a
work/rest regimen so
that exposure time to high temperatures and/or the work rate is decreased.
For example,
work could be scheduled during the cooler part of the day.  6)  Utilizing
an acclimation
program for new employees or employees returning to work from absences of
three or
more days.  7)  Specifying procedures to be followed for heat-related
emergency
situations.  8)  Making provisions so that first-aid can be administered
immediately to
employees displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.
VERIFICATION REQUIRED

Issued

Aug 20, 2010

Abate by

Sep 22, 2010

Hazardous substances 8330