OSHA Inspection: CARLOS CRUZ LANDSCAPING, INC.

Issued

2025-12-18 00:00:00

Abate by

2026-01-15 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $4965.00 · Current $1000.00 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 not protected from the hazard of high heat while performing job duties.  Location: 1326 and 1333 Larboard Court, Uniondale, NY 11553  a) On or about and at times prior to June 19, 2025, employees were exposed to the hazard of high ambient heat, when working in direct sunlight while performing landscaping work outdoors, such as, but not limited to, lawn mowing, edging, and using powered blowers to clear leaves, grass, dust and debris from yards.   The employees' work shift was approximately 8 hours daily starting at 8:00 AM with 10 to 15 minute breaks between homes including a lunch break.  The employees performed landscaping work on approximately 14 houses prior to performing work at the location.   At approximately 1:51 PM  on June 19, 2025, the relative humidity was 72%, the Wet-bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the heat index was 91 degrees Fahrenheit.  Employees were exposed to aggravating factors including an estimated moderate to heavy workload  level.  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. At approximately 1:45 PM that day, an employee experienced a heat-related illness while mowing a lawn and was hospitalized.  The employee died 11 days later as a result of the heat-related illness.  ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION AND/OR DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 1903.19 FOR THIS VIOLATION.

Issued

2025-12-18 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $3547.00 · Current $500.00 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.  a) Worksite: 1326 and 1333 Larboard Court, Uniondale, NY 11553 - The employer failed to report an employee hospitalization within 24 hours of the incident on or about 6/19/25.   Note: Because abatement of this violation is already documented in the case file, the employer need not submit certification or documentation of abatement for this violation as normally required by CFR 1903.19.