OSHA Inspection: MCWANE INC. DBA ATLANTIC STATES CAST IRON PIPE CO.

Issued

Aug 16, 2005

Abate by

Oct 30, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000

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 from Casting and Bull Ladle Operations:
a/  McWane/Atlantic States Phillipsburg Site - Casting Dept./Bull Ladle
Area:
Adequate means were not provided to prevent employees from being exposed
to high
temperatures/humidity (air temperatures 95 degrees F and/or above) and/or
heat stress.
Observed 6/21/05 & 8/15/05.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to create a heat stress program which includes, but not limited to the
following:
1/  Establish provisions for a work/rest regimen 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.   Corrected during inspection.
2/  Provide and utilize heat stress instrument(s) to monitor the work
environment temperature.
3/  Provide adequate amounts of cool (50-60 degree F) portable water
and/or other approved
beverage(s) with electrolyte replacement in the work area and require
workers to drink
frequently (every 15 to 20 minutes).   Corrected during inspection.
4/  Initiate a heat acclimation program to increase heat tolerance of new
workers and workers
returning from an absence from work 3 or more days.
5/  Initiate a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated
by elevated
temperatures.
6/  Provide a cool area where heat-affected employees may recover when
signs and symptoms
of heat-related stress is recognized and/or reported.
7/  Train Supervisors, Foreman and/or other employees of authority, to
recognize heat stress-
related symptoms.
8/  Initiate an effective and continuing training program to inform
employees
of the hazards of
heat-related stress; the danger of alcohol, various drugs, etc. in heated
environment; the
signs/symptoms to look for; the importance of immediately reporting to a
Supervisor, Foreman
and/or other employee of authority; etc.
9/  Provide adequate procedures to ensure employee(s) receive immediate
medical attention, by
ensuring the availability of a Supervisor, Foreman and/or other employee
of authority.
10/ Document the procedures to be followed to ensure that all employees of
authority have
specific uniform steps to follow; and ensure that the same information and
instructions are
provided to all exposed employees.
Reference:  Heat Stress - OSHA Technical Manual Section III Chapter 4 -
OSHA Website
Acceptable Methods to Reduce Heat Stress Hazards in the Workplace -
dated 10/17/2001
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Working in Hot
Environments NIOSH dated 4/1986
Protect Yourself Heat Stress OSHA Quick Cardk

Issued

Aug 16, 2005

Abate by

Feb 28, 2006

Penalty

Initial $25,000