(March 21, 2011) The state Heat Illness Prevention (HIP) Network is updating its membership database and is inviting organizations to join. The network is also urging existing members to confirm their continued participation.

The California Chamber of Commerce is a founding member of the network, which is administered by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in the state Department of Industrial Relations (DIR).

HIP Network

The HIP Network is a voluntary public/private partnership established to inform employers and employees on heat illness prevention measures in order to prevent fatalities and create a safer working environment in California.

Cal/OSHA provides timely information to network associations and employers, who in turn share that information with their associates and/or employees. Members in the network are asked to:

• Receive and share information from Cal/OSHA regarding the prevention of heat illness, primarily if there is a heat wave. It is not necessary to establish new communication channels if existing distribution channels are in place and are effective.
• Encourage member employers to address the risk of heat illness through their injury and illness prevention program using information provided by Cal/OSHA.
• Track communications through the network to members or employees, and share general information about how many employers and employees are reached. This information is requested simply to demonstrate the reach and potential effectiveness of the HIP Network, and will be used only in the aggregate, unless expressly authorized otherwise.

Joining HIP

HIP Network membership is free and interested parties can join by submitting name, title, organization name, telephone number and e-mail to communications@dir.ca.gov.

Resources to Prevent Heat Illness

Cal/OSHA has created a webpage devoted to preventing heat illness, and has made publications available for download and distribution at www.dir.ca.gov.

Information on the new heat illness regulations that took effect on November 4, 2010 is available at HRCalifornia.com and in the 2011 editions of the CalChamber’s California Labor Law Digest and HR Handbook for California Employers.

Also available at www.calchamber.com/heatillness are:

• a Heat Illness Safety Poster that reinforces safe work habits in hot environments and also serves as a reference to symptoms of heat illness. The poster is laminated and available in English or Spanish.
• Cal/OSHA Heat Stress, a 30-minute online course that trains all workers on the basics of heat stress awareness in accordance with Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention standards. The course is available in English or Spanish. Quantity discounts are available.

The CalChamber also plans to offer a heat illness prevention webinar. Details will be available at the CalChamber Store when the webinar is scheduled.

Staff Contact: Marti Fisher