OSHA Inspection: B & L FARMS, INC.

Issued

Aug 10, 1998

Abate by

Sep 12, 1998

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,000 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 hazardous levels of heat while harvesting melons.
Exposure to excessive heat
can result in heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, heat
exhaustion, heat cramps, heat
syncope, heat rash, and transcient heat fatigue:
On the afternoon of May 7, 1998, employees were exposed to high ambient
heat
levels while harvesting melons in Block 50 which was approximately 1/4 mile
north of the Starr County Memorial Hospital, Rio Grande City, Texas.  This
resulted in an employee sustaining a heat stroke, a serious heat-related
illness, and
subsequently dying on May 7, 1998.  The ambient air temperature on May 7,
1998 reached an afternoon high in Rio Grande City of approximately 107
degrees
Fahrenheit.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this
hazard include:
a.Establishing provisions for a work/rest regime so that exposure time to
high
temperatures is decreased, and/or the work rate is decreased, and/or rest
periods
are increased in length and frequency.
b.Providing adequate amounts of cool potable water in the work areas for
employees and encouraging all workers to frequently drink.
c.Initiating a heat acclimatization program to increase heat tolerance by
new
workers and workers returning to a job after more than one week away.
d.Providing a cool area for heat-affected employees to rest and cool down
when symptoms of heat illness are recognized in or reported by
employees.
e.Having trained personnel available at the worksite to treat workers that
develop signs or symptoms of a serious heat-related illness, i.e., a heat
stoke.
f.Maintaining ice or iced water in adequate amounts for immediate first aid
to heat stroke victim(s).
g.Initiating a continuing training program to inform workers of:
1.Hazards of heat-related illness(es),
2.Predisposing factors and relevant signs and symptoms of heat
injury and illness,
3.Potential health effects of excessive heat stress and of heat-related
illness first aid procedures.
4.Importance of immediate reporting to onsite management personnel
of the development of signs or symptoms of heat-related illness
observed in or reported by workers.
5.Importance of immediate administration of appropriate first aid to
workers reporting or displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.
6.Effect of therapeutic drugs and social drugs (including alcohol) that
may increase the risk of heat injury or illness by reducing heat
tolerance.
*** Certification and Documentation of Abatement required ***

Issued

Aug 10, 1998

Abate by

Aug 14, 1998

Penalty

Initial $500 · Current $100 Reduced

Issued

Aug 10, 1998

Abate by

Aug 14, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $250 Reduced