The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited United Parcel Service (UPS) for failing to protect employees from working in excessive heat after an employee working near their Riviera Beach, FL, facility suffered heat-related injuries and had to be hospitalized.

The employee became ill while delivering packages on a day that had a heat index range between 99 and 105 degrees. OSHA gave the company a serious citation for failing to adequately protect workers exposed to outdoor heat hazards. Those conditions could lead to serious illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. They face $13,260 in penalties which is the maximum penalty allowed for a serious violation.

“Employers must take proper precautions when employees work outdoors in excessive heat conditions, and ensure they receive prompt medical attention when exhibiting signs of heat-related illness,” said OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

OSHA conducts training and outreach on heat-related workplace hazards every spring and summer, and their occupational heat exposure page provides information on establishing a heat illness prevention program.

Read the press release here.