OSHA Inspection: WEATHERCRAFT INC.

Issued

Nov 2, 2016

Abate by

Dec 21, 2016

Penalty

Initial $12,471 · Current $0 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8320

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety & 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 recognized hazards related to working outside during periods of excessive heat:  The employer is failing to protect employees from hyperthermia and injuries or illnesses related to heat.  Most recently on August 17, 2016, at a job site located at or near Helias High School, 1305 Swifts Hwy, Jefferson City, Missouri, with the afternoon temperature at 86 degrees F, the employer exposed employees to the recognized hazard of excessive heat during roofing operations.  This included a laborer who had just been hired three days prior and was not acclimated to the heat.  Around approximately 14:50, with a heat index of 90 degrees F (U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the employee experienced heat stress type symptoms while performing his assigned duties.  The employee was hospitalized with a core body temperature of 107 degrees F and died on August 18, 2016, due to multiple organ failure induced by heat stress.    Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means of abatement include:  (i)  Acclimating employees returning to work after an extended absence to working in the heat.  (ii) training supervisors and other employees in the proper response to employees reporting heat induced illness symptoms, which includes stopping work, getting to a cool place, and providing help, evaluation and medical assistance.  (iii)  requiring trained supervisors to go into the field and conduct in person evaluations of employees complaining of heat induced symptoms, arranging for medical attention or other assistance as necessary;   (iv)  establishing work rules and practices that encourage employees to seek assistance and evaluation when experiencing  heat stress symptoms; and  (v)  establishing a heat stress management program which incorporates guidelines from the ACGIH's threshold limit values and biological exposure indices and/or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health )NIOSH) document, "Working in Hot Environments".  Such a program should be tailored to the particulars of the employer's work, and may include the following:  1.  Provide adequate amounts of cool (50 degrees to 60 degrees F), potable water and electrolyte replacements (specific recommendation should be made by medical consultation) in the work area and require employees to drink frequently, e.g. one cup every 20 minutes.  2.  Provide a work/rest regimen.   3.  Training employees about the effect of heat-related illnesses, how to report and recognize heat-related illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-related illnesses.  4.  Including a heat acclimatization program for new employees or employees returning to work from absences of three or more days.  5.  Providing a cool, climate-controlled area where heat-affected employees may take their breaks and/or recover when signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses are recognized.  6.  Providing shaded areas where heat-affected employees may take their breaks and or recover on worksites that don't have access to climate-controlled areas.  7.  Provide specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergency situations and procedures for first aid to be administered immediately to employees displaying symptoms of heat related illness.  8.  Using dermal patches for monitoring core temperatures to better identify when workers need to be removed from the work area.  9.  Allowing employees to modify their work schedules in the summer months to begin an hour or two hours earlier, and end their shift one to two hours earlier.  10.  Monitoring the National Weather heat advisories or alerts and physically checking on employees in the field during heat advisories.