OSHA Inspection: PRO'S LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Issued

Dec 13, 2000

Abate by

Dec 18, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 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 and humidity with only a 30 minute lunch break in an
eight hour
shift. The work load performed by the worker was determined to be rated at
heavy continuous, since the worker was required to walk, pick up and remove
trash from the roadside easement in preparation for mowing. On the day of
the
accident, temperatures ranged from a low of 72 degrees(F) and a high of 92
degrees(F), with a heat index of 102 degrees(F), according to the National
Weather Service. While working on June 19, 2000 at 3:00 p.m., a 16 year old
male died. The Autopsy Report from Harris County Medical Examiners Office
cited the cause of death in part was due to environmental heat exposure or
heat
stress. The investigation revealed that no heat stress program existed at
the
company. NIOSH recommends 25work, 75rest each hour for the
temperature ranges reported on the day of the accident.
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 13, 2000

Abate by

Dec 18, 2000

Penalty

Initial $1,500