The Voice of California's Consulting Geotechnical Engineers
CalGeo News
Industry News
August 8, 2008
Be Prepared for Heated Work Conditions
By Judy Kerry
As temperatures rise, employers should have their Injury and Illness Prevention Program and emergency response procedures in place and ensure that all their workers are prepared for heated work conditions. Employers must also comply with California’s Heat Illness Prevention Standards which requires mandatory training for employees and supervisors on specific heat-related topics. Cal/OSHA studies show effective reduction of heat illness depends on written procedures, access to water, access to cooler areas, acclimatization and weather monitoring, emergency response, and employee and supervisor training.
Under the heat illness prevention regulation, employers are required to take four basic steps to prevent heat illness at all outdoor worksites that include developing and implementing written procedures on heat illness prevention and providing heat illness training to all workers--especially those who are not proficient in the English language. In addition, employers must provide their workers accessible, clean drinking water and proper shade or cooling areas. They should encourage workers to drink four 8-ounce cups of fresh water per hour. Other prevention measures include increasing the number of water and rest breaks or preventative recovery periods on hot days and encouraging the use of a "buddy system" to monitor workers in the field. Employers may consider starting the work day early and pacing work activities for their workers.
For those who work outdoors, the hot sun with high temperatures can be life-threatening. The risk of dying from heat illness appears to be highest for workers who just begin working in extreme heat because the body needs to adapt gradually to exertions in the heat and humidity. It’s, therefore, imperative to monitor workers at all times during hot weather and allow those who are new to working in hot weather—especially during the first exposure to the high temperatures—to gradually adapt to the daily routine. Allowing workers to acclimate to the heat is one of the best defenses against heat-related illnesses and fatalities. According to Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention data, most people adjust to the weather or acclimate within four-to-14 days of regular work levels. Letting workers adjust to changes in weather by gradually increasing their exposure and physical activity reduces the risk of heat-related issues. Those who work indoors in high-heat conditions should take the same precautions as those who work outdoors and follow similar measures under (section 3203 of Title 8) their employers' Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
Raising awareness is another important element in preventing heat illness. Whenever temperatures start to rise, close attention must be focused on the effects of heat on workers who don't work in air-conditioned environments—particularly those who engage in physical or strenuous activity. Some early symptoms and signs of heat illness to watch for are headaches, muscle cramps and unusual fatigue. If left untreated, these symptoms can rapidly progress to nausea and/or vomiting, weakness, excessive sweating or hot dry skin, mental confusion, seizures, and fainting or loss of consciousness.
Cal/OSHA offers employers free consultative services and can help reevaluate Injury and Illness Prevention Programs. For information regarding heat illness prevention, training materials, and free workshops go to http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html Employees with work-related questions or complaints may call the California Workers’ Information Hotline at 1-866-924-9757.
