OSHA Inspection: SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS

Issued

Sep 24, 2001

Abate by

Oct 27, 2001

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

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:
Employees were exposed to the following recognized hazards of exposure to
excessive heat:
a)Forming department are exposed to the hazard of heat stress conditions
during the
performance of their duties of IS Operator.
b)Finished Ware department are exposed to the hazard of heat stress
conditions
during the performance of their duties as Utility personnel.
c)The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index taken from two different IS
Forming machines in the Forming department recorded during a survey on
August 15, 2001 ranged from a low of 85.5 degrees F to a high of 89.0
degrees
F. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat induced
illnesses
such as behavioral disorders, heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion,
heat stroke,
and death, as correlated to guidelines established by the American
Conference
of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
d)The WBGT index taken from two Finished Ware machines (Shop 2 & 5) at the
catwalk area, recorded during a survey on August 15, 2001 ranged from a low
of 87.5 degrees F to a high of 91.9 degrees F. Such exposures may lead to
the
development of serious heat induced illnesses such as behavioral
disorders, heat
rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and death, as correlated
to
guidelines established by the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial
Hygienists.
The exposures in c) and d), both exceed the recommended TLVs for heat
exposures per hour,
according to ACGIH: TLV = 82 degrees F (Moderate workload-Acclimatized
worker), 75
Work, 25Rest per hour.
Feasible and acceptable abatement methods include, but not limited to:
1)Limit exposure time by implementing a work-rest regimen which requires
mandatory, regularly scheduled breaks hourly.
2)A water supplementation schedule presented in such a way employees are
stimulated to drink five to seven ounces of liquid every fifteen to twenty
minutes
will serve to augment any control measure used.
3)Another method would be implementation of engineering controls such as,
shielding to interrupt the path between the radiant heat source and the
worker.
4)Training of employees and supervisors in the recognition and treatment
of heat
related illness and the effects of non-occupational factors such as drugs
and
alcohol is also recommended. Ensure all affected employees attend this
training
during normal work hours.
***Certification and Documentation of Abatement Required***on