OSHA Inspection: CENTRAL TEXAS REINFORCEMENT, INC

Issued

Nov 3, 2011

Abate by

Nov 22, 2011

Penalty

Initial $4,900 · Current $4,225 Reduced

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:
On or about June 7, 2011, employees of Central texas Reinforcement, Inc.,
while working
outdoors with full exposure to the sun, constructing the upper level of a
parking garage, were
exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat.  Such exposures may lead
to the development
of serious heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat syncope,
heat cramps, and heat
stroke.  On this day, and employee, employed as a rebar installer helper,
performing general
lifting and clean-up duties, developed heat syncope and heat stroke
requiring hospitalization.
The employer did not seek prompt attention for this employee.
Among other abatement methods feasible and useful, one method of abatement
to correct this
hazard would be to:
Develop a formal heat stress management program which incorporates: (a)
use of heat stress
instruments to monitor the work environment; (b) a heat acclimatization
program to increase heat
tolerance of new employees and employees returning from periods of absence
of 3 or more days;
(c) provision of a cooler area where heat-affected employees may recover
when symptoms of
heat-related illness are recognized in, or reported by, employees; (d)
availability of adequately
trained personnel at the work site to treat workers that develop signs or
symptoms of a serious
heat related illness, such as heat stroke; (e) maintenance of ice or iced
water in adequate
amounts for immediate first aid to heat stroke victim(s); and (f) a
continuing training program
informing employees about: (1) The hazards of heat-related injuries and
illness(es) and
preventative measures; (2) Predisposing factors and relevant signs and
symptoms
of health
effects of excessive heat stress; (4) Importance of immediate reporting to
management personnel
of the development of signs or symptoms of heat-related illness observed
in or reported by
employees; (5) First aid procedures for heat-related illnesses; (6)
Importance of immediate
administration of appropriate first aid to workers reporting or displaying
symptoms of heat-
related illness; and (7) Effects of therapeutic drugs and social drugs
(including alcohol) that may
increase the risk of heat illness by reducing heat tolerance.
Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, within ten (10) calendar days of the date of
this citation, the
employer must submit documentation showing that it is in compliance with
the Act, including
describing the steps that it is taking to ensure safety and health of
employees working in hot
environments.