Waste Management of New Jersey Inc. was recently forced to own up to its own failure to keep employees safe when it settled with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) over a case that left one employee dead.

According to an OSHA press release, a worker died in June 2012 while picking up trash in Hopewell Borough because the company failed to protect its trash-collecting employees from the dangers of heat-related illnesses. The company faced a serious violation for not having a rule in place that addressed adequate fluid consumption.

OSHA makes several recommendations for a heat-related-injury-prevention program, including rules regarding scheduling, illness-screening, and proper training. They also say that employers should encourage workers to drink five to seven ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes rather than relying on thirst to prompt them to drink fluids.

The waste management group has been ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for the lack of hydration rules.

“We are encouraged that Waste Management has agreed to take the necessary steps to prevent further heat-related tragedies,” said OSHA’s area director Paula Dixon-Roderick. “OSHA is committed to ensuring, that in the hot summer months, employers and outdoor workers understand that drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks in cool, shaded areas is incredibly important.”

Extreme temperatures are common in the New York and New Jersey areas. From the heat of summer to the cold of winter, we experience extreme variances in our climate. Employers must take precautions to ensure outdoor workers are safe regardless of the weather.

If you’ve been injured or fallen ill because your employer failed to provide proper protections, the construction accident attorneys of Ginarte may be able to help.

Workplace Injury Attorneys

Contact the New York and New Jersey workplace injury attorneys of Ginarte by calling 888-GINARTE today.