OSHA Inspection: B & H BAG COMPANY

Issued

Dec 4, 2000

Abate by

Jan 23, 2001

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $100 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:
excessive heat and humidity with only one 15 minute break in a 12 hour
shift.  There
work load is rated as moderate/continuous.  Bag machine operators must
stay with the
machine at all times when running.  The machine runs the entire shift
except when
broken down or when the paper is reloaded.  In order to take a break while
the machine
is running, the bag operators must ask the supervisor to take their place
at the machine.
There are several machines.  The closest available drinking water,
provided by the
employer,is at least 50 yards away from machine #9.  Air movement was
measured.
There was no air-movement except for an occasional blip of 20 f/m.  During
the
survey,
Dry Bulb Temperatures ranged from 96.9 F to 102.3 F.  Wet Globe Bulb
Temperatures
(WBGT) ranged from 85.3 F to 87.6 F.  The rest areas are the same as the
work area.
NIOSH recommends 50work to 50rest at these WBGT temperatures for
continuous,
moderate work.
FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THIS
HAZARD INCLUDE: (a) Establishing provisions for a work/rest regimen so that
exposure time to high temperatures are decreased and/or work rate is
decreased and/or
rest periods are increased in length and frequency. (b)  Providing
adequate amounts of
cool potable drinking water/electrolyte solution in the work areas for
employees and
encourage employees to drink frequently.  (c)  Provide a cool area for
heat-affected
employees to rest and cool down when taking a break or eating lunch.  (d)
Develop a
heat stress program which incorporates the following: 1) a training
program informing
employees about the effects of heat stress, recognition of heat-related
illness symptoms,
and prevention methods of heat-induced illnesses; 2) a screening program
to identify
health conditions aggravated by elevated temperatures; 3) an acclimation
program for
new employees or employees returning to work from absences of three or
more days; 4)
specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergency situations;
5) provisions
that first aid be immediately administered to employees displaying
symptoms of heat-
related illness.

Issued

Dec 4, 2000

Abate by

Jan 23, 2001

Penalty

Current $600