(May 28, 2009) The California Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses around the state to take all available precautions to prevent heat illness among their employees as warmer weather approaches.
Heat illness occurs when the body's temperature control system is unable to maintain an acceptable temperature. Under normal circumstances, the body cools itself by sweating. However, when high temperatures and humidity prevent the body from releasing heat efficiently, a person's body temperature can rise quickly causing numerous symptoms. If left untreated, high body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs and, ultimately, lead to death.
In July 2006, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) implemented new regulations to protect outdoor employees from the effects of heat exposure and mandated training requirements for employees and supervisors on the prevention, symptoms and treatment of heat illness. The regulations apply to all companies with employees working in outdoor places of employment. In addition to the training requirements, employers must provide potable drinking water, access to shade, and compile heat illness prevention procedures, including employee training, in writing.
‘Trigger Temperatures’
Recently, Cal/OSHA initiated an awareness campaign for heat illness prevention in anticipation of the state’s hot weather season. In addition, Cal/OSHA has clarified its interpretation regarding “trigger temperatures” for providing shade for employees.
The “trigger temperatures” will now be based on the National Weather Service forecast as of 5 p.m. of the previous day.
When the temperature is predicted to exceed 85 degrees, Cal/OSHA states: “If the prediction on the previous day is for the temperature high for the area to exceed 85 degrees, shade must be up as of the beginning of the shift and present throughout the day.”
In addition: “There must always be enough shade to accommodate those employees who seek it to cool off.”
There must be enough shade to accommodate at least 25 percent of the employees on a shift and the shade must be reachable within one-quarter of a mile or a five-minute walk, whichever is shorter.
The full explanation regarding Cal/OSHA’s shade interpretation can be found in question No. 7 on the “Heat Illness Prevention Enforcement Q&A” under “What’s New” at Cal/OSHA’s website.
Mandatory Training
CalBizCentral, the source for California business and human resource compliance products, presented by the CalChamber has made heat illness prevention tools available for purchase as part of the Heat Illness Prevention Kit.
The Preventing Heat Illness mini-book outlines for supervisors and employees how to prevent, recognize, and treat heat illness — training that is required by law for employers of outdoor workers in California. The mini-book complies with Cal/OSHA training requirements and is full of clear, medically accurate illustrations and plain-language, bilingual content for easy reader comprehension. This mini-book was prepared with input from Cal/OSHA, which labels it a valuable resource and compliance tool for outdoor workers and supervisors.
CalChamber also recommends that businesses post the Heat Illness Safety Poster, a tool for the office that reinforces safe work habits in hot environments and serves as a reference to recognize symptoms of heat illness. The laminated poster easily fits on almost any wall and features realistic illustrations and lists key symptoms, signs and treatment for heat illness.
Also available for pre-order is a 30-minute online training course that teaches workers the basics of heat stress awareness and prevention.
For more information or to purchase the Preventing Heat Illness mini-book, the Heat Illness Safety Poster or online training, visit www.calbizcentral.com and go to the health and safety section.