OSHA Inspection: RAND WHITNEY SOUTHEAST CONTAINER

Issued

Oct 24, 2024

Abate by

Dec 11, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $0 Reduced

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 not protected from the hazard of high heat while performing job duties.    a) Assembly Area: On or about, and at times prior to, July 16, 2024, employees working throughout the Assembly Area were exposed to the hazard of high heat from high outdoor temperatures affecting the indoor temperatures of the facility, as well as radiant heat from industrial machinery, during the performance of their job duties, including physically demanding tasks such as material handling, assembly, and converting operations, for a 10-hour shift. In the Assembly Area, the WBGT indoor averaged 29.7�C (85.5 �F), the relative humidity averaged 48%, and the heat index averaged 39.4�C (103 �F) while the employees performed a heavy workload. 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.   b) Converting Areas: On or about, and at times prior to, July 16, 2024, employees working throughout the Converting Areas at 455 Narragansett Park Drive, Pawtucket, RI, were exposed to the hazard of high heat from elevated temperatures and radiant heat from industrial machinery, during the performance of their job duties. These duties included physically demanding tasks such as material handling, assembly, and converting operations, for a 10-hour shift with two 30-minute rest breaks. In the Converting Areas, the WBGT indoor was measured at 27.3�C (81.1�F), while WBGT outdoor readings were 27.3�C (81.2�F), and the Heat Index was recorded at 36.1�C (97�F). Such exposures are likely to lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses, including but not limited to, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.  c) Back Right Area: On or about, and at times prior to, July 16, 2024, employees working throughout the Back Right Area at 455 Narragansett Park Drive, Pawtucket, RI, were exposed to the hazard of high heat from elevated ambient temperatures and radiant heat from industrial machinery, during the performance of their job duties. These duties included physically demanding tasks such as material handling, assembly, and converting operations, for a 10-hour shift with two 30-minute rest breaks. In the Back Right Area, the WBGT indoor was measured at 28.9�C (84.0�F), with a Globe Temperature of 34.5�C (94.1�F), and the Heat Index recorded at 37.2�C (99�F). Such exposures are likely to lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses, including but not limited to, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.   d) Back Left Receiving Area: On or about, and at times prior to, July 16, 2024, employees working throughout the Back Left Receiving Area at 455 Narragansett Park Drive, Pawtucket, RI, were exposed to the hazard of high heat from elevated temperatures and radiant heat from industrial machinery, during the performance of their job duties. These duties included physically demanding tasks such as material handling, assembly, and converting operations, for a 10-hour shift with two 30-minute rest breaks. In the Back Left Receiving Area, the WBGT indoor was measured at 31.0�C (87.8�F), with a Globe Temperature of 37.8�C (100�F), and the Heat Index recorded at 42.8�C (109�F). Such exposures are likely to lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses, including but not limited to, heat cramps, heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.