HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM: Pgs. 8-11 Complete the written procedures for water provision. DISCARD THESE INSTRUCTIONS WHEN COMPLETE
HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved.
HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION To enhance our employees health and safety here at, our company has developed, implemented and maintains a heat illness prevention program as required by the Heat Illness Prevention Regulation T8 CCR 3395. These procedures have been created to reduce the risk of workrelated heat illnesses among our employees. Phil Engler has full authority and responsibility for implementing and maintaining this program which includes the following key elements for preventing heat illness: Provision of water Access to shade Acclimatization Heat stress awareness The effects of heat stress The hazards of working in hot weather Emergency response Training Provision of Water Written Procedures 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1
Potable water shall be provided at no cost to employees during working hours and placed in readily accessible locations. Employees shall be permitted access to the drinking water at all times and in all places of employment. The frequent drinking of water shall be encouraged. Where the supply of water is not plumbed or otherwise continuously supplied, water shall be provided in sufficient quantity at the beginning of the work shift to provide for one quart per employee per hour, or 2 gallons per employee per 8 hour shift for drinking. Employers may begin the shift with smaller quantities if effective procedures for replenishment to allow employees to drink one quart or more per hour are implemented. The standards for drinking water are as follows: 1. Drinking water shall be kept close to work areas for easy access. 2. All sources of drinking water shall be fresh, pure and suitably cool. 3. Drinking water shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. 4. Drinking water shall not be located in toilet rooms. 5. Drinking water containers must be clearly marked. 6. Drinking water dispensers shall be kept covered to prevent contamination. 7. Portable drinking water dispensers shall be constructed of materials that maintain water quality and are capable of being tightly closed. 8. Portable drinking water dispensers shall be equipped with a faucet or drinking fountain or other suitable device for drawing water. 9. The dipping or pouring of drinking water from containers, or the use of a common cup for drinking purposes, is prohibited. 10. Drinking water shall be dispensed from portable drinking water containers in single-use drinking cups. A sanitary container for the unused cups shall be provided, as well as a receptacle for disposing of the used containers. 11. One-time use water containers (i.e. sealed water bottles) may be provided in place of portable water dispensers or drinking fountains. A receptacle for disposing of the used containers shall be provided. 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2
Access to Shade Current local weather conditions shall be monitored to protect workers of James E. Thompson, Inc. dba JTS Construction from conditions resulting from sudden exposure to heat. Temperatures that exceed 85 degrees F present a serious health hazard in outdoor working conditions and temperatures that exceed 90 degrees F present an imminent health hazard. Phil Engler shall be responsible for monitoring the weather and ensuring that our method of shade is available and set in place. Shade is defined as blockage of direct sunlight. Shade is sufficient when objects in the shaded area do not cast a shadow, the temperature in the shade provides cooling, and the employee has enough space to be comfortable. Shade is not adequate when the temperature inside the shaded area prevents cooling. Sources of unacceptable shade include metal sheds or parked cars that are hot from sitting in the sun. Shade shall be provided as follows: 1. Canopies, umbrellas and other temporary means shall be used to provide shade for our employees when permanent shade is not available. These methods will block the sunlight and be ventilated or open to air movement. 2. Trees that block the sunlight and are open to air movement to provide cooling qualify as shade. 3. The amount of shade provided shall be enough to accommodate at minimum 25% of our employees at any given time during the work shift. 4. Shaded areas shall be located as close as possible to work areas. 5. Access to shade shall be permitted at all times. 6. Employees shall be allowed at least 5 minutes to rest in the shade when they feel they need a preventative recovery period. 7. Employees will be encouraged not to wait until they feel sick to seek rest periods in the shade. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 3
Acclimatization The body needs time to adapt to increased heat and humidity, especially when engaging in heavy physical activity. The process of adjusting to physical activity in hot weather is called acclimatization. The typical period of time required to fully adjust to significant increases in temperature is fourteen days. Cal/OSHA data reports that most workplace deaths related to heat illness involve new employees who were only on the job for one to four days and were not yet accustomed to working in hot or humid weather. The best method of acclimatization is to allow employees, especially new ones, to adjust to hot weather by gradually building up to a full work shift and pace. During times of heat wave, we at James E. Thompson, Inc. dba JTS Construction will assign the heaviest work of the day during the cooler hours whenever possible, and encourage the drinking of fresh water and recovery rest periods in the shade. Emergency Response When early warning signs of heat stress related illness are present in our employees, we at James E. Thompson, Inc. dba JTS Construction will take immediate action. Early symptoms can rapidly progress to more serious illnesses, and therefore require immediate attention. If first aid trained personnel are not available on-site then emergency crews will be contacted by dialing 911. 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 4
Heat Stress Awareness Heat stress can be a serious health hazard for employees required to work while exposed to the sun or other heat sources. Environmental conditions that contribute to risk factors for heat illness include: 1. Air temperature 2. Relative humidity 3. Radiant heat from the sun and other sources 4. Conductive heat sources such as the ground 5. Air movement 6. Workload duration and severity 7. Personal protective equipment worn by employees on the job Personal risk factors for heat illness include: 1. Water consumption 2. Alcohol consumption 3. Degree of acclimatization 4. Caffeine consumption 5. Use of certain prescription medication 6. Employee s age 7. Health At we protect our employees from heat stress by: 1. Providing cool, potable water. 2. Providing access to shade. 3. Providing frequent cool-down breaks. 4. Timing the heaviest work load during the coolest part of the workday. 5. Encouraging workers to drink water and to cool down. 6. Looking for signs and symptoms of heat stress. 7. Providing training on heat stress including prevention, recognition and first aid. Supervisors at shall be aware of and continuously look for symptoms and signs of heat stress-related disorders in employees, and individuals will be trained to render first aid. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 5
Heat Stress-Related Disorders Condition Signs/Symptoms First Aid Heat Cramps Painful muscle spasms Heavy sweating Increase water intake, or drink an electrolyte solution Rest in a shaded or cool environment Heat Syncope Fainting Increase water intake, or drink an (fainting) Blurred vision electrolyte solution Sweaty skin Rest in a shaded or cool environment Dehydration Fatigue Increase water intake, or drink an Reduced movement electrolyte solution Rest in a shaded or cool environment Heat Exhaustion Pale, clammy skin Lie down in cool environment Possible fainting Weakness, fatigue Nausea Dizziness Heavy sweating Blurred vision Slightly elevated body temperature Headache Loosen clothing Increase water intake, or drink an electrolyte solution Call 911 if symptoms persist Heatstroke Cessation of sweating MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Skin hot and dry Red face or bluish skin Call 911 and request an ambulance High body temperature Unconsciousness Move victim to a cool or shaded area Collapse Convulsions Soak victim with cool water and Confusion fan vigorously Erratic behavior Chills or shivering 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 6
Training Employees of are given heat illness prevention training before working outdoors. This training includes: 1. Risk factors both environmental and personal. 2. Our heat illness prevention plan and procedures. 3. The importance of proper hydration. 4. The importance of acclimatization. 5. The common signs and symptoms of heat stress and illness. 6. The importance of immediately reporting any signs or symptoms of heat illness. 7. The procedures for responding to symptoms of heat illness in an employee. 8. The procedures for obtaining emergency medical care if needed. 9. The procedures for emergency communication while working outdoors. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 7
WRITTEN PROCEDURES Special precautions shall be taken to prevent heat illness. Our heat illness prevention procedures are in writing as required by Cal/OSHA. 1. Provision of Water and Replenishment Procedures We shall provide at least one quart of cool drinking water per employee per hour per daily work shift as required by Cal/OSHA T8 CCR 3395(c). The water shall be dispensed in single-use sealed bottles, by drinking fountain, or by a sanitary covered container into single-use disposable cups. Supervisors will provide reminders to workers to take water-drinking breaks. Noise making devices, such as air horns, may be used for this purpose. Our method for providing and storing water shall be as follows: Our method for water replenishment shall be as follows: To encourage the frequent drinking of water, the following steps will be taken: 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 8
2. Procedures for Shade Access to rest and shade or other cooling measures are important preventive steps to minimize the risk of heat related illnesses. We shall provide access to shade as required by Cal/OSHA T8 CCR 3395(d) for recovery periods of no less than five minutes when employees need relief from the heat to provide time for cooling and the drinking of water. The shade will be readily accessible, open to the air, ventilated and cooled and near the drinking water supply. To ensure access to shade at all times, the following procedure shall be implemented: The following procedure shall be implemented to encourage frequent shade recovery periods: 3. Acclimatization Procedures Physical activity for employees will be gradually increased over a period of two weeks in order for the body to adjust to significant increases in heat, such as heat waves. New employees who are unaccustomed to working in high-temperature outdoor weather will be given a period of time to acclimatize to the weather conditions. Working hours will be modified to work during the cooler hours of the day, when possible. When a modified or shorter work day is not possible, more water and rest breaks will be provided. Our procedure for acclimatization for new employees will be as follows: Our procedure for acclimatization for sudden high temperature weather (heat waves) will be as follows: 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 9
4. Heat Stress Awareness Procedures The weather shall be monitored in order to anticipate and prepare for heat waves. When employees work in hot conditions special precautions shall be taken in order to prevent heat illness. Supervisors shall be vigilant during periods of abnormally high heat, check on employees, and stay alert to the presence of heat related symptoms. Supervisors shall carry cell phones or other means of communication to ensure that emergency services will be notified if necessary. Our procedure for checking the current weather conditions is as follows: To reduce the risk of heat-related illness and respond quickly to possible symptoms, the following procedure shall be implemented: 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 10
5. Emergency Response Procedures Our procedure for communication with all employees in the field shall be maintained as follows: Our procedure for responding to possible heat illness shall be as follows: Our procedures for ensuring that emergency medical services are summoned in serious and or emergency heat illness situations are as follows: Our procedures for transporting employees to a point where they can be reached by emergency medical teams as needed are as follows: Our procedures for ensuring that clear and precise directions to the work site will be provided as needed to emergency medical responders are as follows: COMPANY NAME: SITE ADDRESS: FOREMAN: DATE: 1-800-734-3574 www.eeap.net 2010 EEAP All Rights Reserved. 11