U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Company After Worker Dies as Temperatures Inched Towards 100 Degrees in National Forest
OSHA finds Earthbalance Corp. exposed workers to dangers of heat exposure.
- By Shereen Hashem
- Jan 21, 2022
Working in Apalachicola National Forest on in July as temperatures nearly reached 100 degrees, the supervisor of two crews hired to clear invasive plants saw that one 42-year-old worker was sweating heavily, his hands were trembling and he seemed confused and unable to respond to commands. The worker rested while other employees finished their tasks. Only 30 minutes later, the supervisor returned to the man finding him unresponsive. Without a cell phone signal, workers had to get help from a ranger station, 14 miles away from their job site. According to a press release, by the time an ambulance became available, the worker had stopped breathing and responders did not find a pulse. Soon after transport to a hospital, doctors pronounced him dead.
An OSHA investigation of the July 30 incident reinforces the need for employers to understand the dangers of hazardous heat in the workplace and to take action to protect workers from serious potential consequences. Investigators found that Earthbalance Corp., a North Point-based environmental restoration firm, exposed workers to hazards related to “high ambient heat and failed to adequately train a person to perform first aid and ensure they were available to render assistance in heat-related emergencies.” The company faces $24,576 in proposed penalties.
"Earthbalance Corp. failed to protect their employees from the dangers from extreme temperatures and take actions that may have prevented a worker's death," said OSHA Acting Area Director Nolan Houser in Jacksonville, Florida. "We encourage employers to reach out to the agency's staff and use our free resources for recognizing and mitigating heat-related hazards to ensure their workers have every opportunity to return home safely at the end of the day."
With four locations in Florida in North Port, Fort Myers, Saint Cloud and Nocatee, Earthbalance Corp. provides services through the U.S. and the Caribbean. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC.
Each year, OSHA educates employers and workers on the danger of workplace heat exposure. Combining training and outreach events, publications, social media messaging and media appearances to educate employers and workers, the agency summarized its core message in three words: “Water. Rest. Shade.” In recent months, OSHA initiated several initiatives to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and deaths while in hazardously hot workplaces. In addition to pursuing a heat-specific workplace rule, OSHA instituted a heat-related enforcement initiative and plans to issue a National Emphasis Program for heat-related safety efforts in 2022.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.