OSHA Inspection: VALLEY PRODUCE HARVESTING & HAULING CO.

Issued

Mar 4, 2020

Abate by

Mar 30, 2020

Penalty

Initial $9,446 · Current $9,446

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 excessive heat:  a. On or about September 5, 2019 at a jobsite located at 6000 Duda Road, Belle Glade, FL 33430, employees engaged in sugarcane farming activities were exposed to the hazard of thermal stress, high ambient temperatures and/or working in direct sunlight, which produced Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) ranging from 81 degrees Fahrenheit to 84.8 degrees Fahrenheit. These WBGT levels exceeded both the Action Level of 74.1 degrees Fahrenheit and the Threshold Limit Value of 80.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as, but not limited to, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and up to death.  b. On or about September 11, 2019, at jobsite located at 6000 Duda Road, Belle Glade, FL 33430, employees engaged in sugarcane farming activities were exposed to the hazard of thermal stress, high ambient temperatures and/or working in direct sunlight, which produced Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) ranging from 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit to 81.1 degrees Fahrenheit. These WBGT levels exceeded both the Action Level of 74.1 degrees Fahrenheit and the Threshold Limit Value of 80.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Such exposures may lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as, but not limited to, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and up to death.