OSHA Inspection: ABC PROFESSIONAL TREE SERVICES

Issued

Nov 9, 2010

Abate by

Nov 19, 2010

Penalty

Initial $7,000

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 the hazards of heat stress while conducting tree trimming
operations.
a)On or about August 4, 2010, where a heat advisory had been issued, a
ground
person performing the task of tree trimming operations including but not
limited
to: gathering tree trimmings from cut tree limbs, dragging them to the
chipper
machine, and pushed into the chipper's chute, was subjected to the
recognized
hazard of excessive heat. Exposure to excessive levels of heat may result
in
serious heat induced illnesses which include: transient heat fatigue, heat
rash,
fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is the
most
serious of these illnesses and can result in death.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
to establish a Heat Stress Management Program which incorporates
guidelines from the
ACGIH's Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices and /or the
National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document, "Working in Hot
Environments." Such
a program may include, but is not limited to:
(1)Acclimating employees beginning work in hot environment or those
returning
from absent periods of three or more days
(2)Developing a work/rest regiment
(3)Providing cool water and encouraging employees to drink 5 to 7 ounces
of fluid
every 15 to 20 minutes--rather than relying on thirst
(4)Providing for a cool rest area
(5)Providing training for employees regarding the health effects
associated with heat
stress, symptoms of heat induced illnesses and the method of preventing
such
illnesses
(6)Establish a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated
by
exposure to heat stress
Disclaimers:
The employer is not limited to the abatement methods suggested by OSHA
The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases.
Other methods of abatement may be equally or more appropriate.
Ultimate responsibility for determining the most appropriate abatement
rest with the
employer, given its extensive knowledge of specific conditions on its
worksite(s).