OSHA Inspection: OLSONITE CORPORATION, DIV. OLSONITE NEWMAN CORP.

Issued

Jan 14, 2002

Abate by

Aug 15, 2002

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $925 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employmnent 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 stress conditions in excess of ACGIH recommendations:
a.)On 8/9/01, employees working in the molding department were exposed to
a wet bulb
globe temperature (WBGT) of between 86.5  to 90.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
These
employees perform tasks of at least moderate work load and were working in
the area
without breaks for as much as 45 minutes or more at a time on the day of
sampling.
Employees also worked in comparable ambient heat levels on days previous
to sampling
with limited access to breaks.  ACGIH recommends a work rest regimen of
25% work
and 75rest at WBGT of 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feasible and accepatble methods of abatement of this hazard include, but
are
not limited
to the following:
1.)Increase cool air exchange and add ventilation to more effectively
remove hot air
from the hot process areas.
2.)Develop and implement a heat control program that effectively identifies
excessive heat conditions in the plant, identifies employees suffering from
excessive heat stress and effectively reduces heat stress conditions.
3.)Eliminate disincentives for employees reporting heat stress symptoms and
appropriately seeking assistance.  Termination points are currently
assigned to
employees suffering from heat stress conditions.
4.)Provide additional access to cool drinks at no cost to employees,
adjacent to the
work stations.
5.)Modify production expectations to allow greater rest breaks during the
hottest
parts of the day.
Abatement Certification and Abatement Documentation required.

Issued

Jan 14, 2002

Abate by

Feb 16, 2002

Penalty

Initial $700