OSHA Inspection: DCI CONTRACTING INC

Issued

2021-01-06 00:00:00

Abate by

2021-02-02 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $9446.00 · Current $9446.00

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 July 15, 2020 and times prior thereto at the jobsite, employees engaged in landscaping activities were exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat and working in direct sunlight, with heat indexes to 104 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 death;  (b) On or about July 23, 2020 and times prior thereto at the jobsite, employees engaged in landscaping activities were exposed to the hazard of excessive ambient heat and working in direct sunlight  with heat indexes to 106 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 death.  Among other methods, some feasible methods of abatement for this violation include but are not limited to:   1) Implement a work/rest regimen in accordance with the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) 2019 Permissible Heat Exposure Threshold Limit Values.   2) Acclimatizing employees beginning work in hot environments or those returning from an absence period of three or more days by grading work tasks.  3) Ensuring employees drink 1 cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes especially during the first shift where the heat exposure is greater than on subsequent shifts.      4) Establishing an employee rotation for employees to prevent prolonged exposure to excessive heat.   5) Use dermal patches for monitoring core temperature to better identify when workers need to be removed from the work area.  6) Establish a medical surveillance for employees, especially those on chronic medications that may alter anatomical metabolic activities as well as water excretion.   7)  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.   8) Implement an effective heat illness prevention program pursuant to which adjustments are made to employee work schedules and work duties for all employees when working conditions become, or are expected to become, potentially hazardous. Ensure that supervisors are effectively trained to implement and enforce this heat illness prevention program.  9) Providing 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. Ensure supervisors do not leave employees experiencing heat-related illnesses alone.  10) Training employees about the effects of heat-related illness, how to report and recognize heat-related illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-related illnesses. Ensure the training includes the importance of drinking water frequently and the dangers of using drugs and alcohol and how drinking caffeinated sodas, teas, and medications in hot work environments can increase the risk of heat stress.   11) Establish or designate air-conditioned area or provide shade for outdoor work sites at the jobsite where heat-affected employees may take breaks and/or recover.  12) Post heat stress hazard warning signs within the work area regarding the effects of heat-related illness, how to report and recognize heat-related illness symptoms and how to prevent heat-related illnesses.