OSHA Inspection: A.H. STURGILL ROOFING, INC.

Issued

Jan 16, 2013

Abate by

Mar 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,410 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

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 workers, in that workers were exposed to excessive heat:    On or about August 1, 2012, full time and temporary employees of A.H. Sturgill Roofing, Inc. were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat from working on a commercial roof in the direct sun during the performance of their duties which included removial of roofing material, tossing the material off the roof into a dump truck, and installation of new roofing material. The employer had not developed and implemented an adequate heat-related illness prevention program.  Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  A temporary employee working on the roof in the direct sun throwing roofing material off the roof into a dump truck developed heat stroke as a result of working on the project, his first day with the company. The employee began work between 6:00 am and 6:30 am on August 1, 2012.  At approximately 11:41 am the employee collapsed and emergency medical assistance was summoned.  On August 22, 2012, the employee died due to complications from heat stroke.  NOAA Heat Index values for the morning of August 1, 2012 at the time of the employee's collapse were approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit.  NOAA Heat Index values are devised for shady, light wind conditions, and it has been noted that exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The employer failed to develop and implement a heat-related illness prevention program which adequately addressed appropriate clothing for working conditions, a formalized work/rest schedule, worksite monitoring, guidelines for removing employees from hazardous conditions, and acclimatization for new or returning employees.    Feasible and acceptable methods to abate this hazard include, but are not limited to:    1. Develop guidelines for employees to wear loosely worn reflective clothing to deflect radiant heat and/or by providing cooling vests or wetted garments in high temperature and low humidity conditions.  Remove employees from hazardous conditions when/if guidelines are not being followed.    2. Develop a formalized work/rest regimen based on environmental working conditions. Remove employees from hazardous conditions when/if rest breaks are not being taken.    3. Develop a work practice for monitoring employees for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.    4. Develop guidelines for removal of employees from hazardous conditions when recognized through worksite monitoring.    5. Develop a formalized acclimatization work practice which includes the element of reduced time to hazardous conditions in addition to a reduction in work-load.

Issued

Jan 16, 2013

Abate by

Mar 6, 2013

Penalty

Initial $4,410 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2):     The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:    (a) A.H. Sturgill Roofing, Inc. at 3232 Newmark Drive in Miamisburg, Ohio: On or about August 1, 2012, the employer did not ensure that its full time permanent employees, including managers, and temporary employees all received reasonable and necessary instruction specific to the recognition and avoidance of risk factors related to the development of heat-related illnesses such as, but not limited to heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.    i. Temporary employees had not been provided with detailed information related to the hazards, danger signs and symptoms, and methods of prevention associated with heat-related illnesses.    ii. Permanent employees, including the foreman, had not received effective heat-related illness training as demonstrated by:    a. An employee wearing dark clothing on a white, reflective work surface in direct sun conditions was not encouraged to change clothing or prevented from working under those conditions.    b. A formalized work/rest regimen had not been developed or applied based on working conditions.    c. An employee that was demonstrating signs of heat exhaustion (i.e. refusing to drink water, profuse sweating) was not immediately removed from the work environment and provided shade, water and medical attention.    d. An acclimatization program had not been formalized and lacked the element of reduced time in elevated heat conditions.