OSHA Inspection: COMFY CAMPERS LLC

Issued

Dec 14, 2022

Abate by

Feb 2, 2023

Penalty

Initial $10,151 · Current $8,628 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 to employees, in that the employees were exposed to excessive heat:  a) Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour 2022, on or about 7/9/2022 - 7/13/2022: Employees performing intensive manual labor, setting up and breaking down camp sites for approximately 13-15 hours/per day, were exposed to the hazard of high ambient heat from outdoor conditions. From 7/9/2022-7/13/2022 environmental conditions at each of the tour's campsites in NY yielded Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WGBT) calculated values ranging from 21 to 25 degrees Celsius (69.6 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). In multiple instances during those dates, employees' heat exposure met or exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist Recommended Action Levels, based on the WBGT values and accounting for employees' metabolic work-load and lack of acclimatization to heat. Additionally, during this date range the employees were exposed each day to temperatures in the moderate or high risk of heat related illness categories. 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. From 7/9/2022 to 7/13/2022 employees suffered multiple symptoms of heat-related illness such as, but not limited to, nausea, lack of appetite, dehydration, and profuse sweating. On 7/13/2022 one employee, who was not acclimatized to working in hot conditions collapsed and was hospitalized for Heat Stroke the following day.