OSHA Inspection: P&M LAWN CARE LLC

Issued

2025-12-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $13220.00 Reduced

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 while working outdoors.      a) Worksite at 135 Worral Drive, Newark, DE 19711 - On or about June 25, 2025, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to protect employees exposed to excessive heat conditions for approximately 9 hours with a peak heat index of 108.57 °F and a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) as high as 87.30 °F,  while conducting outdoor work in direct sun consisting of heavy manual tasks such as, but not limited to, digging a swale for a Belgian-block border, lifting & placing 18-22 pound blocks for the border, blowing leaves using a backpack blower and bending and kneeling.  An employee collapsed from heat illness and later died as a result.  The employer should implement a process-based approach to abate the cited hazard. As part of that process, multiple abatement measures from the menu below may be necessary to materially reduce the hazard. The following items are intended as part of an overall process and are not intended as alternatives which, standing alone, would each satisfy the employer's abatement obligations:  1.Develop and implement a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan that identifies thresholds to initiate heat related measures. 2. Provide adequate, cool drinking water on the worksite that is easily accessible.  Ensure employees drink water frequently,  rather than relying on thirst. Monitor employees to ensure employees are taking breaks. This can be completed by the supervisor or by using a buddy system. 3. Monitor the weather through the OSHA heat stress phone application or other weather applications to determine heat index levels and heat advisories. Use the information to change the work hours for the day so that the majority of the work is completed when the temperatures are cooler.  4. Develop and implement a written schedule based on weather conditions for a work/rest regiment that includes frequent rest periods in shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas. 5. Set up a buddy system or check on employees routinely to ensure workers are consuming enough water, taking their scheduled breaks, using the shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas, and detect  early signs of heat-related symptoms. Employees who observe others with signs and symptoms should report them to their supervisor immediately.

Issued

2025-12-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-01-30 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $0.00 · Current $0.00

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.21(b)(2):The employer did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury:  a) Worksite at 135 Worral Drive, Newark, DE 19711 - On or about June 25, 2025, and at times prior thereto, the employer did not provide information or instruct employees on the effects, prevention, recognition, or treatment of heat-related illnesses.  Employees were exposed to  excessive heat conditions for approximately 9 hours, with a peak heat index of 108.57°F, and a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) as high as 87.30°F while conducting outdoor work in direct sun during  a heat wave consisting of heavy manual tasks such as, but not limited to, digging a swale for a Belgian-block border, lifting & placing 18-22 pound blocks for the border, blowing leaves using a backpack blower and bending and kneeling.

Issued

2025-12-23 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-02-13 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $13220.00 Reduced

Hazardous substances 8330

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1926.50(a): The availability of medical personnel was not insured for advice and consultation on matters of occupational health:  a) 135 Worral Drive, Newark, DE 19711: On or about June 25, 2025, and at times prior thereto, the employer failed to make available a medical personnel for consultation on matters of occupational health when employees were exposed to extreme heat conditions while conducting outdoor landscaping activities.

Issued

2025-12-23 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $2838.00 · Current $2270.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2): The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye.  (a) Worksite at 135 Worral Drive, Newark, DE 19711 - On or about June 25, 2025, at a residential landscaping jobsite in Newark, Delaware, an employee suffered a serious, heat-related illness requiring in-patient hospitalization at Christiana Care Medical Center. The employer failed to report in-patient hospitalization within 24 hours.