OSHA Inspection: BLACHFORD RUBBER ACQUISITION CORPORATION

Issued

Aug 10, 2011

Abate by

Sep 26, 2011

Penalty

Initial $525 · Current $525

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of North Carolina:  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 exposed to heat-related hazards:
a)autoclave, employer did not fully implement a heat stress
related management program with employees working in the
autoclave area that were exposed to an indoor wet-bulb-
globe temperature (WBGT) of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Abatement note:One feasible abatement among others is to
train employees in the control of heat stress and recognition,
prevention, and treatment of heat related illnesses.
Guidelines for the prevention of heat-related disorders,
include but are not limited to those published by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National AG Safety
Database (NASD), National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) and Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA).  Examples of these feasible and
acceptable methods include, but are not limited to :
1.Developing a heat stress training program to inform
employees about the effects of heat stress and how to
recognize heat-related symptoms and prevent heat-induced
illnesses;
2.Employ the use of engineering controls such as, but not
limited to local air cooling.  Cool rooms can be used to
offer a recovery area near hot jobs and portable blowers
with built-in air chillers can offer relief at the
workstation.
3.Training employees to stay hydrated by drinking 5 to 7
ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the
work day and avoiding drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and
large amounts of sugar;
4.Instructing employees to wear light-colored, loose-
fitting, breathable clothing, such as cotton;
5.Implementing a screening program to determine any causal
factors that may effect the employee's heat illness
susceptibility;
6.Establishing a work/rest so that exposure time to high
temperatures and/or the work rate is decreased.
7.Utilizing an acclimation program for new employees or
employees returning to work from absences of three or
more days;
8.Specifying procedures to be followed for heat-related
emergency situations;
9.Making provisions so that first-aid can be administered
immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat-
related illness.