• 9 Posts
  • 291 Comments
Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: July 8th, 2023

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  • liquefaction necrosis

    bones collapsing

    So, these are things that have actually happened, since we know that’s a thing. Good lord.

    I’m not afraid of many things, but that sounds horrific. Have people lived through that? I kinda hope not.

    These sorts of things are why regulations are written in blood, right?




  • Right, and that’s my point. If OP shows more knowledge than the company (which seems likely if they’re acting this way) by citing OSHA codes, that might scare them into at least providing air conditioned break rooms, right?

    I meant ‘fear of god’ in the colloquial sense, not literally. Like, many grossly noncompliant companies at least begin to try when they realise, oh shit, people working here actually might know their rights and might sue us if shit goes arseways, right?


  • LillyPip@lemmy.catoMildly Infuriating@lemmy.worldSweatshop
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    5 days ago

    Yes, but mightn’t this OSHA info be useful to put the fear of god into them? Based on what I’ve read in OP’s post and comments, it doesn’t sound like the employer is taking any kind of precautions (break room with AC, etc).

    There’s no legal case here, but if people are unreasonably uncomfortable, it seems bringing up the OSHA regs (specifically, not generally) could at least get them to improve conditions a bit.

    My ex and my son both work in a state and industry where OSHA is a guideline and not a rule (different companies), but if you bring up a possible OSHA violation in a health and safety meeting, it’s taken seriously. Not because they’re worried about citations, but because often that can be grounds for a civil lawsuit if something does happen (it’s a basis for ‘they should have known’), and they will try to meet those standards to cover their ass, right?

    I’m talking about residential and commercial property management, not manufacturing, though, so it may be different.

    e: I am not arguing with you; I defer to your expertise. I’m just curious and annoyed on OP’s behalf. If this were my son’s workplace, I’d be angry.





  • I doubt they did that intentionally – i think many indoor thermostats don’t allow space past 99 (I just checked mine, and it doesn’t either), because that’s an unreasonable temperature for indoor spaces, and would be such an edge case that display space is more important from a design perspective.

    The point is that’s an unreasonable temperature. Sorry they’re treating you like this. Makes me angry for you.


  • Environmental temps that high put you a serious risk of heat stroke, though. That seems like a pretty clear health and safety violation.

    From OSHA: Exposure to Outdoor and Indoor Heat‑Related Hazards

    Dangers of Exposure to Heat Hazards

    Exposure to heat hazards both outdoors and indoors could lead to serious illness, injury, or death. Heat-related illnesses and injuries can happen at varying ambient temperatures, especially in cases where workers are not acclimated, perform moderate or higher physical activity, or wear heavy or bulky clothing or equipment, including personal protective equipment. Heat-related illnesses and injuries also generally occur when body heat generated by physical work is performed in conditions of high ambient heat, especially when combined with humidity and inadequate cooling.

    Heat Index

    The National Weather Service (NWS) uses a heat index (HI) to classify environmental heat into four categories:

    • Caution (80°F – 90°F HI);
    • Extreme Caution (91°F – 103°F HI);
    • Danger (103°F – 124°F HI); and,
    • Extreme Danger (126°F or higher HI).

    It sounds like you’re in the Extreme Caution (and sometimes in the Danger) category.

    OSHA mentions a Heat Safety Tool app in that document, too.

    Here’s their Heat Stress Guide, too, which says:

    The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

    Enforceability does vary, but OP should know this sounds like a pretty blatant violation and may be enforceable.


  • As a UXD who was a firmware dev for products (not thermostats, but similar things), in looking at this display, I’d bet money it’s not capable of showing numbers past 99. The layout doesn’t seem to allow space for more than a 2 digit temp reading.

    The ‘heat’ and ‘fan’ indicators on either side of the temp reading are in a fixed location, so the temp display would max at 99. It’s highly plausible the real temperature exceeds that as you say.

    Are you in the US? This situation feels like something OSHA would frown upon.