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OSH ACT AND OSHA STANDARDS |
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Imminent Danger |
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An imminent danger situations is given top priority. It is a condition where
there is reasonable certainty that a danger exists that can be expected to cause death or
serious physical harm immediately, or before the danger can be eliminated by normal
enforcement procedures. Serious physical harm is any type of harm that could cause permanent or prolonged damage to the body or could cause such temporary disability as to require in-patient hospital treatment. Injuries or illnesses that are difficult to observe are classified as serious if they inhibit a person in performing normal functions, reduce physical or mental efficiency, or shorten life. Health hazards constitute imminent danger situations when they present a serious and immediate threat to life or health. For a health hazard to be considered an imminent danger there must be a reasonable expectation that toxic substances such as dangerous fumes, dusts, or gases are present and that exposure to them will cause immediate and irreversible harm such as shortening life or causing reduction in physical or mental efficiency, even if the resulting harm is not immediately apparent. |
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