Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
During this session you will learn
1.) How to access free resources to help you develop effective Heat Illness Prevention Procedures.
2.) Critical preventive measures learned from previous cases of heat related illness.
3.) How to design and implement Heat Illness Prevention Procedures specific to your needs.
Resources
• Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
• Cal/OSHA Website www.cal-osha.ca.gov
• Workers Compensation Loss Control
• Associations/Exchanges
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh1.html
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-006/index.htm
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-006/index.htm
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-006/PreventingAndResponding.htm#smarttips
http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/dosh_publications/ESPforHeatIP3-10-19-07.pdf
Previous Case Information
• Cases included:– Information collected during 2005 and 2006– Deaths due to heat illness– Accidents with a non-fatal heat illness– Complaints which revealed a heat illness
• Data was obtained from interviews by field inspectors involved in these cases, review of the heat illness evaluation questionnaires and associated medical records.
Written Procedures• Weather Monitoring and
Acclimatization• Water Provisions• Shade Provisions• Employee/Supervisor Training• Responding to Heat Illness Symptoms• Contacting Emergency Medical Services• Providing Clear and Precise Directions
Important !!!!!!• Who is responsible for:
– assessing risk by planning ahead and weather monitoring ?
– water and shade provisions ?
– training employees & supervisors ?
– accounting for employees during the workday ?
– responding to employees with symptoms ?
– executing the emergency action plan ?
Workload/Work Intensity Data
Work Intensity - 2005
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Light Moderate Strenuous
Perc
ent
2006
* Percent of cases
Work Intensity - 2006
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Light Moderate Strenuous
Perc
ent
Heat Wave DataDirect Relationship Between Temp and Number of Reported Cases
84% of the Cases Occurred During the July 2006 Heat Wave
Historical Temp from UC IPM CIMIS
85
90
95
100
105
110
115
7/16/2
006
7/17/2
006
7/18/2
006
7/19/2
006
7/20/2
006
7/21/2
006
7/22/2
006
7/23/2
006
7/24/2
006
7/25/2
006
7/26/2
006
7/27/2
006
7/28/2
006
Date
Tem
p. K
ern
Co.
0123456789
# Re
porte
d
Acclimatization Data
Number of Days on the Job
0
2040
60
0 - 1 1 - 4 5 - 14 > 14
Days
Perc
ent
Number of Days on the Job
020406080
0 - 1 1 - 4 5 - 14 > 14
Days
Perc
ent
2005 2006
Sample General Heat Illness Prevention Procedures
• Utilizing our checklist the supervisor at each site will be responsible for assessing the following on a day to day (plan ahead!) basis: – Weather Conditions – Workload/Work Intensity– Clothing Requirements– All Unacclimatized Employees– All Untrained Employees– First Heat of the Year or any Heat Wave During the Year– Providing Adequate Water and Shade– Emergency Procedures Specific to Location
Sample General Heat Illness Prevention Procedures
• The following special consideration will be given to unacclimatized workers:– Check the weather, plan a schedule– Jobs with less work intensity– Shorter shifts– Buddy system, utilizing an experienced
worker who sets a good example as it relates to heat illness prevention
– Extra vigilance from supervision at the site
Sample General Heat Illness Prevention Procedures
• The following measures will be considered anticipating the first heat of the year and anticipating a heat wave at any time:– Remind employees to drink water in the
evening and before coming to work– Changing work schedules– Additional water and rest breaks– Additional cooling measures– Extra vigilance keeping track of employees
Water Provisions DataDrinking Water Was Present at the Site 90% of the time
Medical evidence of Dehydration - 2006
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Dehydrated Not Dehydrated
Perc
ent
Sample Water Procedures• We begin the day with at least
two quarts of water per employee.
• Water containers are monitored every 30 minutes and replenished when levels drop below 50% or when the water is no longer cool.
• Water containers will be placed as close as feasible to the workers.
Sample Water Procedures
• Water containers will be maintained in a sanitary condition.
• Before and during the shift, supervisors will provide frequent reminders to drink water….more frequently during heat waves and the first heat of the year.
Sample Water Procedures
• We mandate water breaks and use an audible device such as whistles or air horns to remind employees to drink water.
• Disposable single use cups will be provided.
Shade Provision Data
2005 Data
2005 Data
0
5
10
15
20
25
Yes No Yes No
Workplace shaded Shade during breaks
Sample Shade Procedures
• Supervisor will set-up an adequate number of large umbrellas, canopies or other portable shade structures, at the start of the shift and will relocate them as workers move. Shade structures will be placed as close as feasible to the work activity.
• Employees will have access to cooled office or other indoor space with air conditioning, if available.
Sample Shade Procedures
• When risk is determined to be greater, i.e. during a heat wave, additional shade will be provided anticipating a greater number of employees may need to use it at the same time.
• Every morning there will be a short tailgate meeting (in the employees’ language) to remind workers about the importance of rest breaks and the location of shade.
Sample Shade Procedures
• Areas will be provided for employees to take their breaks which are:
– Readily accessible– In the shade and open to the
air, and ventilated or cooled– Near sufficient supplies of cool drinking water
Employee Training Data
IIPP Heat Illness Acclimatization
95%
5%
36%
64%
77%
23%2005
Data
Prevention Programs and Training
95
5
36
64
23
77
020406080
100
Ava
ilabl
e
Not
avai
labl
e
Ava
ilabl
e
Not
avai
labl
e
Ava
ilabl
e
Not
avai
labl
e
IIPP Heat Illness Acclimatization
Perc
ent
Employee Training Procedures
• All employees will receive heat illness prevention training prior to working outdoors (don’t forget new hires throughout the year).
• Employee training will cover all topics described in CCR, Title 8, 3395, Section 3395(e)(1).
Employee Training Procedures• All new workers will be assigned a “buddy”
or experienced coworker to ensure that they understood the training and follow the company procedures.
• On hot days, and during a heat wave, supervisors will hold short tailgate meetings to review this important information with all workers.
Supervisor Training DataFor Non-Fatal Heat Illnesses, Supervisor
Trained on Heat Illness Prevention: Yes (67%) and No (33%)
Supervisor training conducted in cases with Heat-related Fatality
37
63
010203040506070
Trained Not trained
Perc
ent
Supervisor Training Procedures• Supervisors will be trained prior to being assigned to
supervise outdoor workers.
• Supervisors will quiz employees to ensure the employees understood the training.
• Primary (Farm Labor Contractors, staffing companies, etc) and secondary employers will ensure that all employee’s (including temporary) working outdoors are trained in heat illness prevention.
Some Thoughts about Training
• Managers/Owners should quiz supervisors to ensure they are well versed in company policies.
• When training –– ask questions rather than just giving out information.– ask about personal experiences.– describe actual cases to make it real.– don’t ever make fun of anyone.– follow-up to make sure the employees understood the
information.
Emergency Response Procedures
Did Employer Have Emergency Procedures?
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2005 2006 2007
Emergency Response Procedures
Not AvailableAvailable
64%77% 76%
36% 23% 24%
Procedures for Responding to Heat Illness Symptoms
• Supervisors will continuously check all employees, and stay alert to the presence of heat related symptoms.
• Co-workers will use a “buddy system” to watch each other closely for symptoms of heat illness.
• Supervisors and co-workers are encouraged never to discount any signs or symptoms they experience or observe, and will immediately report them.
Procedures for Contacting Emergency Medical Services
• Supervisors will carry cell phones, radios or other means of communication, to ensure that emergency services can be called, and check that these are functional at the worksite prior to each shift.
** Say specifically what your company uses and what steps will be taken in an emergency
Procedures for Providing Clear and Precise Directions
• The address/location(s) and directions will be established for the workday prior to work starting.
• Every morning, workers will be reminded about address/location(s) and directions to the worksite and emergency procedures.
HIP ResourcesGo to http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html for HIP Resources
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