OSHA Inspection: BULDO CONTAINER & DISPOSAL SERVICES, INC.

Issued

Nov 10, 2021

Abate by

Nov 26, 2021

Penalty

Initial $9,557 · Current $5,256 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

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 employee(s) in that employee(s) were exposed to the hazard of excessive heat:  a) Mountain Avenue, Washington Township, NJ - On or about and at times prior to 6/28/21, employees were exposed to the recognized hazard of high ambient heat from the direct sun during the performance of the job duties as sanitation workers, including continuous lifting and dumping of refuse bins. On 6/28/21 the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration recorded a temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit, 61% humidity and a Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) of 86.5 Fahrenheit at 10:51am.The heat index for this time period was 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit.  A temperature of 89 degrees Fahrenheit, 57% humidity and a WBGT of 86.2 degrees Fahrenheit was determined for 11:51am. The heat index for this time period was 95.9 degrees Fahrenheit.  Both heat indexes are classified by the National Weather Service as Extreme Caution. The employees spent approximately 6.5 hours lifting and dumping refuse bins in direct sunlight and excessive heat. Such exposures are likely to lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as, but not limited to, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. For one of the employees, it was his first day working for the employer. That one employee experienced symptoms of heat illness including confusion, slurred speech, seizures, dizziness, and muscle spasms; after which he was hospitalized and died that day.

Issued

Nov 10, 2021

Penalty

Initial $6,827 · Current $3,744 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(1): The employer did not report within 8 - hours the death of an employee resulting from a work-related incident:  a) Buldo Container and Disposal Services Inc. : An employee died due to heat stress and OSHA was not notified by the employer within 8 hours of the death on or about 6/28/21.