Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to educate managers and supervisors
on heat illness prevention to protect their workers as temperatures
continue to rise in many regions of the state. The national weather
forecast indicates temperatures to exceed 100 degrees in the Central and
Inland Valleys on Monday and remain high for the entire week.
“It’s important that
employers apply precaution and safety measures as required under
California’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard
to all their employees to prevent work-related heat illnesses and
fatalities,” said Len Welsh, Chief of
Cal/OSHA. “It is especially important to track
the weather and be ready for heat waves.”
Cal/OSHA investigations reveal that the risk of dying from heat illness
appears to be highest for employees who are new on the job and not
accustomed to working in extreme heat. The body needs to adapt gradually
to exertions in the heat and humidity. Most people adjust to the weather
or acclimate within four-to-14 days of regular work levels, according to
Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention data.
Raising awareness is an important key in preventing heat illness.
California Heat Illness Prevention Standards require mandatory training
for employees and supervisors. Information on acclimatization,
encouraging employees to continuously drink water throughout the day,
and taking frequent cool-down breaks or preventative recovery periods in
the shade, among other actions are included in the mandatory training.
In addition to the requirements outlined in the heat illness prevention
regulations (section 3395 of Title 8), employers may consider starting
the work day early and pacing work activities for their workers. Other
prevention techniques 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 employees in the field.
Employees who work indoors should take the same precautions as those who
work outdoors in extreme heat, and follow similar measures under
(section 3203 of Title 8) their employers' Injury and Illness Prevention
Program.
Employers with workers near sources of heat or inside buildings with
limited cooling capabilities must ensure that their Injury and Illness
Prevention Program is effective and in writing. 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 Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership, California became the first
state in the nation to develop a safety and health regulation addressing
heat illness in 2005. Cal/OSHA issued permanent heat illness prevention
regulations to protect outdoor workers in 2006.
For more information on heat illness prevention and training materials
visit the Cal/OSHA Web site at http://www.dir.ca.gov/heatillness.
Employees with work-related questions or complaints may call the
California Workers’ Information Hotline at
1-866-924-9757.
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