Workplace Heat Illness Prevention

Outline
Outline
Heat illness
Risk factors
How the body handles heat
Types of heat illness
Prevention of heat illness
Emergency response procedures
Supervisor guidelines

Cal/OSHA Standard
8 CCR 3395- Heat Illness Prevention
Applies to outdoor places of employment with
heat illness potential
Requirements
Heat illness prevention training for supervisors and
employees
Provision of water
Access to shade
Local procedures for heat illness prevention



Training
Prior to work in warm weather, supervisors and
employees shall be trained on the following:
The departments heat illness prevention procedures
Environmental and personal risk factors for heat illness
The importance of consuming water throughout the
work shift
The importance of acclimatization
Common signs/symptoms of heat illness
The importance of reporting sign/symptoms of heat
illness to the supervisor
Emergency response procedures




Heat Illness
Risk Factors for Heat Illness
Weather conditions
Temperature
Humidity
Air movement
Radiant heat (ex: sunshine)
Conductive heat (ex: ground)

Higher intensity and/or duration of physical activity

PPE/ clothing can be a factor (i.e., tyvek overalls)
Personal Risk Factors
Poor physical condition*
Age
Degree of acclimatization
Water consumption
Some medications*
Alcohol/ drugs

* Recommend checking w/ personal physician about heat illness risk
How the Body Handles Heat
The body tries to keep a constant internal
temperature

As internal temperature rises from activity,
the body cools itself by:
Increasing blood flow to skin surface
Releasing sweat onto skin surface


Heat Exhaustion
Cause:
Excessive loss of water and salt through sweat

Signs & Symptoms:
Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Weakness and moist skin
Muscle cramps
Mood changes such as irritability or confusion
Upset stomach or vomiting

Heat Stroke
Cause:
Total breakdown of bodys cooling system

Signs & Symptoms:
Sweating stops-- skin is hot, red, and dry
Mental confusion, losing consciousness
Fainting
Seizures or convulsions

Treat as a medical emergency! Can be life
threatening.
Emergency Response Procedures
For any of the previously mentioned symptoms:
Immediately call 911 or 9-911 (from a campus phone) OR transport to
Stanford Hospital Emergency Room
While waiting for help:
Move victim to cool area
Give small cup of water (if conscious and not nauseous)
Loosen and/or remove clothing
Fan and mist the person w/ water
Apply a water-soaked towel (or ice pack wrapped in towel) to head and
ice pack to armpits
Contact supervisor immediately
Anyone with symptoms must never be sent home or left unattended
without a medical evaluation
SUOHC follow-up for employees evaluated for heat illness
Prevention of Heat Illness
Access to Water
Access to sufficient
amounts of cool
drinking water shall be
available at all times.
Recommend
consuming at least
four cups per hour for
the entire shift.
Access to Shade
A shaded rest area shall be
provided as close as practicable
to the work area.
Refer to your departments local
procedures for accessing shade
As needed, take frequent cool-
down breaks in the provided
shade.
Supervisor Guidance
Work Planning and Supervision
Assess conditions
Weather forecasts -
http://nws.noaa.gov
Current weather -
http://weather.stanford.edu
* Note: high humidity drives up the heat
load
For warmer periods:
Schedule outdoor work during cooler
parts of the day
For most strenuous tasks, plan a staff
rotation





Work Planning and Supervision
Worker acclimatization
People adapt to outdoor temperature increases
within 4-14 days. To minimize the risk of heat
illness:
Adjust work schedules and intensities during a two-
week period
New employees or those returning from extended
leaves acclimatization is especially important
May not be adapted to local weather or work intensity
Be extra vigilant with these employees
For outdoor temperatures 85F, supervisors shall ensure:
Shade is present for employee rest breaks.
When a worker has brief periods of outdoor work without nearby shade, the
employee shall be instructed on how he/ she will be able to quickly access
shade as needed for heat illness prevention
If it is not safe or feasible to provide shade, document why the shade cannot be
provided and what steps will be taken to provide shade upon request or an
alternative cooling measure with equivalent protection.
Staff are reminded throughout the day to drink plenty of water and to take
cool-down breaks in the shade (when they feel the need to do so)
Effective means for employees to contact the supervisor and emergency
services
Regular monitoring of employees for alertness and signs/symptoms of
heat illness
Close supervision of new employees
Work Planning and Supervision
Written Procedures
The minimal procedures are listed in the SU Heat Illness Prevention guidance.
These steps detail how your personnel will locally:
Provide supervisor and employee training
Provide access to water & shade
Monitor employees and report signs/symptoms of heat illness
Respond to heat illnesses without delay, provide first aid and emergency services.
Provide clear and precise directions to the worksite.
Train all supervisors and employees on these procedures.
Document training
Maintain the procedures on-site or close to the site, so that it can be made
available to representatives of Cal/OSHA upon request.
Summary of Supervisor
Responsibilities
Obtain heat illness prevention training
Be aware of your staffs heat stress potential
Develop and train staff on written local heat illness prevention
procedures
Provide access to water and shade
Plan and manage work activities accordingly to reduce the risk of heat
stress
Be able to recognize any warning signs of heat illness
Promptly respond to symptoms of heat illness!
For Additional Information
Visit the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness websites:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html
http://www.99calor.org/english.html

Thanks for your attention!