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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: 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 the hazards of heat stress: a- 128 Cokesbury Rd., Lebanon, NJ - On or about 8/15/03, employees performing demolition of an existing roof, installing insulation, mopping hot asphalt and rolling out roofing membrane were exposed to extreme heat hazards resulting in one worker suffering heat stroke and later dying of hyperthermia. Temperatures, taking into consideration the radiant heat from the roof and hot asphalt, reached in excess of 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to excessive heat stress may lead to the development of serious heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash, heat collapse and heat fatigue. Feasible and acceptable methods among others to correct the hazard is to develop and implement a formal written heat stress program consisting: a- Establishing provisions for a work/rest regimen so that exposure time to high temperatures is decreased, and/or the work rate is decreased, and/or rest periods are increased in length and frequency; b- Using heat stress instruments to monitor the work environment; c- Providing adequate amounts of cool (50-60 degree F) potable water (unflavored carbonated water i.e., club soda) and electrolyte replacements in the work area and requiring workers to drink frequently (every 15-20 min.); d- Initiating a heat acclimation program to increase heat tolerance of new workers and workers returning from periods of absence of 3 or more days; e- Initiating a screening program to identify health conditions aggravated by elevated temperatures; f- Providing a cooler area where heat-affected employees may recover when signs and symptoms of heat-related illness are recognized and/or reported; g- Ensuring that adequately trained personnel are available at the work site to treat workers that develop signs or symptoms of heat-related illness such as heat stroke; h- Maintaining ice and cold water in adequate amounts for immediate first aid for victims of heat stroke; i- Initiating a continuing and effective training program to inform employees of the hazards of heat-related illness and preventive measures, predisposing factors and relevant signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, potential health effects of excessive heat stress, importance of immediate reporting to onsite management personnel of the development of signs or symptoms of heat-related illness, first aid procedures and the importance of immediate administration of treatment to workers experiencing heat-related illness, effect of therapeutic and social drugs (alcohol) that may increase the risk of heat illness by reducing tolerance to heat.ance