OSHA Inspection: AGAVE LAWN MAINTENANCE

Issued

Jan 24, 2012

Abate by

Feb 11, 2012

Penalty

Initial $4,200

Hazardous substances 8320

General-duty citation text

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1):  Duties of Employers.  Every employer
shall furnish
employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized
hazards that were
causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his
employees:
(a)Employees were exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat from the
sun
during the performance of their duties at 709 Canyon Greens Drive in Las
Vegas,
which included mowing, trimming and blowing of the residential lawn
directly
under the Sun.  Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat-
related illness such as Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramp etc which
can
lead to cardiac arrest. On September 8, 2011, the Las Vegas max temperature
was 102 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity was 7 percent at 3:22
p.m.
as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Based
upon the information, the calculated heat index was at 95 (35 degree
centigrade)
degrees Fahrenheit.  As per the American Conference of Governmental
Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH), the heat index of 95 degrees Fahrenheit was above the
Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for Heat Stress Exposure for 50% to 75 %
allocation of work in a cycle of work and recovery with employee work
activities
at a heavy level.  On September 8, 2011, an employee of Avage Lawn
Maintenance suffered cardiac arrest and died.  Employees received no heat
stress
training.
ACGIH Physical Agent standard for Thermal Stress includes Heat Stress and
Heat Strain issues.
Feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard include, but are not
limited to training
employees about the effects of heat-related illness, how to report and
recognize heat-related
illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-related illnesses.  Also,
providing specific procedures
to be followed for heat-related emergency situations and procedures for
first aid administered
immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat-related illness.