OSHA Inspection: UNITED STATES ROOFING CORPORATION

Issued

Dec 9, 2013

Abate by

Dec 30, 2013

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 worked outdoors in direct sunlight for a total of approximately 6 hours with a peak heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit performing roofing work using hot tar that exposed workers to excessive heat:       a) United States Roofing Corporation [USRC] : 925 Meeting House Road, Upper Chichester, PA : On or about July 18, 2013, employees were working at an outdoor jobsite, performing roof repair work at the Chichester Middle School. The employees worked in direct sunlight during the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.  Employees were exposed to excessive heat throughout the day, with a peak heat index of  105 degrees Fahrenheit during the afternoon. The National Weather Service had issued a heat advisory for the Philadelphia area.  Additionally, the temperatures to which the employees were exposed was significantly increased for the employees working on or around the hot tar pots. Three employees experienced heat-related illnesses and were transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center via ambulance where two of them were admitted for treatment.