OSHA Inspection: GARDAWORLD

Issued

Sep 3, 2015

Abate by

Jan 27, 2017

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act:  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:     GardaWorld truck number 5710:  On or about 28 July, 2015, employees conducting driver and messenger duties inside Garda truck number 5710 were exposed to and suffered from heat-related illness with symptoms including nausea and dizziness.  Additionally, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurements taken inside the truck reached 106.4 degrees Fahrenheit (F).  These results indicated that employees were exposed to heat conditions over the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 86.9F (30.5 Celsius).        Notes: During the inspection, the outside air temperature reached 91F, with a relative humidity of 35% which resulted in an Heat Index of 90F.   Additional heat stress measurements were taken inside the truck: The air temperature reached 131.6F, with a relative humidity of 18%, which resulted in a Heat Index of 149F.              Recommended Abatement Actions:  The employer failed to develop and implement an adequate and effective heat stress program.  With the exception of drinking water, the following below were not in place at the time of the inspection on 28 July, 2015.  Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable method of abatement includes but is not limited to:   1-     Perform routine maintenance on air conditioning units in vehicles prior to hot summer months.  Ensure that the vehicles air conditioning units and vents are functioning appropriately prior to employee use.  Take vehicles out of service when air conditioning issues are brought to the employers attention;  2-     Establishing a heat stress management program which incorporates guidelines from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document, "Working in Hot Environments," and OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Page on Occupational Heat Exposure. Among other measures, such a program may include:        a.      Providing a training program for all employees, including management and part time employees, regarding the health effects associated with heat stress, symptoms of heat-induced illness, and methods of preventing such illnesses.  Training should also include heat stress warning signs and requiring employees to call in or return to the main base location before heat stress symptoms occur to prevent serious injury or illness;      b.     Acclimatizing employees beginning work in hot environments or those returning from absent periods of three or more days;      c.      Implementing a work/rest regimen that includes a provision to allow employees to become acclimatized to extreme heat conditions;       d.     Providing cool water and encouraging employees to drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes rather than relying on thirst;      e.      Employer monitoring of local weather conditions on days that are suspected of being hot and communicating risks and expectations with employees prior to them leaving the main office location in the morning; and      f.      Establishing a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by exposure to heat stress.