Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: HEAT

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the following condition(s): a) On July 8, 2002, at the construction site of the Reserve of Bossier City apartments, laborers were subjected to excessive levels of heat stress while performing moderate to heavy work as described by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Exposure to heat stress may result in serious heat induced illnesses which include: transient heat fatigue, heat rash, fainting, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious of these illnesses and can result in death. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to establish a Heat Stress Management Program which incorporates guidelines from the ACGIH's Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices and/or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document, "Working in Hot Environments." Such a program might include, but not be limited to: 1. acclimating employees beginning work in a hot environment or those returning from absent periods of three or more days, 2. developing a work/rest regiment, 3. providing cool water and encouraging employees to drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes -- rather than relying on thirst, 4. providing for a cool rest area, 5. providing training for employees regarding the health effects associated with heat stress, symptoms of heat induced illnesses and the methods of preventing such illnesses and 6. establishing a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by exposure to elevated levels of temperature.