heat stress compliance for OSHA 1926

Source excerpt

# For Additional Information Visit the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Webpage: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatlllnessInfo.html Contact us by email: [redacted email] A Press room Careers at DIR Indice en español Settings California Department of a Cal/OSHA- Industrial Relations Labor Law Safety & Health Workers' Comp Self Insurance Apprenticeship Director's Office Boards Search Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Heat Illness Prevention ▸ español Cal/OSHA Emergency Response YOUR EMPLOYER ▸ Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Guidance and MUST PROVIDE Resources WATER Emergency Temporary Standards, Information and Resources SHADE. Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions REST. it's the law Quick Links 877-99-CALOR ▸ File a workplace safety complaint ▸ Obtain a free consultation California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness: ➤Important Cal/OSHA updates COVID-19 related violations cited 1.Training Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention. ▸ Public records requests 2. Water Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so. DIR State of California Department of EST. 1927 Industrial Relations STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAL OSHA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 38

Source excerpt

PROTECT YOUR WORKERS FROM HEAT STRESS ## Develop an acclimatization plan Acclimatization is the result of beneficial physiological adaptations (e.g., increased sweating efficiency and stabilization of the circulation) that occur after gradual increased exposure to a hot environment. TIP 1 TIP 2 Gradually increase the time spent in hot environmental conditions over a 7-14 day period. For new workers, the schedule should be no more than 20% exposure to heat on day 1 and an increase of no more than 20% exposure on each additional day. ## TIP 3 ✓ they don't have heat-related symptoms. For workers who have had previous experience with the job, the acclimatization schedule should be no more than: <table><tr><th>DAY 1</th><th>DAY 2</th><th>DAY 3</th><th>DAY 4</th></tr><tr><td>50%</td><td>60%</td><td>80%</td><td>100%</td></tr><tr><td>EXPOSURE</td><td>EXPOSURE</td><td>EXPOSURE</td><td>EXPOSURE</td></tr></table> ## Set up a buddy system Check your workers routinely to make sure... - they make use of readily available water and shade. ## Schedule and encourage frequent rest breaks... ...with water breaks in shaded or air-conditioned recovery areas. ## Emphasize the need for appropriate clothing Encourage workers to wear clothing that is... light-colored breathable - loose-fitting ## Encourage workers to drink plenty of fluids... ...such as drinking small amounts of water before becoming thirsty. Cotton clothing can be soaked in water to aid cooling. Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress. mm During moderate activity in moderately hot conditions, workers should drink about... 1 cup every 15 to 20 minutes. Learn more about heat stress at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health CDC Workplace Safety and Heath NIOSH

Source excerpt

# §3396. Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment. (cont.) (A) If a supervisor observes, or any employee reports, any signs or symptoms of heat illness in any employee, the supervisor shall take immediate action commensurate with the severity of the illness. (B) If the signs or symptoms are indicators of severe heat illness (such as, but not limited to, decreased level of consciousness, staggering, vomiting, disorientation, irrational behavior or convulsions), the employer must implement emergency response procedures. (C) An employee exhibiting signs or symptoms of heat illness shall be monitored and shall not be left alone or sent home without being offered onsite first aid and/or being provided with emergency medical services in accordance with the employer's emergency response procedures including contacting emergency medical services. (3) Contacting emergency medical services and, if necessary, transporting employees to a place where they can be reached by an emergency responder. (4) Ensuring that, in the event of an emergency, clear and precise directions to the worksite can and will be provided as needed to emergency responders. (g) Acclimatization. (1) Where no effective engineering controls are in use to control the effect of outdoor heat on indoor temperature, all employees shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee during a heat wave. (2) An employee who has been newly assigned to any of the following shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee for the first 14 days of employment: (A) In a work area where the temperature or heat index, whichever is greater, equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit; or (B) In a work area where the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit for employees who wear clothing that restricts heat removal; or (C) In a high radiant heat area where the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit. (h) Training. (1) Employee training. Effective training i…

Source excerpt

# Heat Illness Prevention Elements Include: • Access to Water • Access to Shade • Weather Monitoring and Acclimatization • High Heat Procedures • Employee and Supervisory Training • Written Procedures Including Emergency Response DIR State of California Department of EST. 1927 Industrial Relations STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAL OSHA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 3

Source excerpt

# Heat Stress and Working in Hot Conditions (cont.) - Hallucinations * Chills - Throbbing headache - High body temperature - Confusion/dizziness - Slurred speech ## Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke: - Call 911 and notify the worker's supervisor. - Move the sick worker to a cool shaded area. ✡ Cool the worker using methods such as: - Soaking the worker's clothes with water. - Spraying, sponging or showering the worker with water. - Fanning the worker's body. Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those who are elderly, those who have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment. ## Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: - Heavy sweating - Extreme weakness or fatigue - Dizziness, confusion * Nausea - Clammy, moist skin - Pale or flushed complexion - Muscle cramps - Slightly elevated body temperature - Fast and shallow breathing - Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat exhaustion: - Have the worker rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area. - Have the worker drink plenty of water or other cool, non- alcoholic beverages. - Have the worker take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath. A good heat-related illness prevention program would likely contain the following elements; however, each work environment or situation may not require all elements. 1. Responsibilities of the employer and employees regarding working in hot, humid environments. 2. Environmental factors and personal health factors that contribute to heat-related illnesses. 3. Procedures for measuring air temperature and documenting effects of other environmental factors (humidity, wind strength, work location) by determining the wet bulb globe tem- perature (WBGT) index or heat index using any tool or resource available, including the OSHA Heat Safety Tool smart phone…

Source excerpt

# §3395. Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Places of Employment. (cont.) (1) All employees shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee during a heat wave. For purposes of this section only, “heat wave” means any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least ten degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days. (2) An employee who has been newly assigned to a high heat area shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee for the first 14 days of the employee's employment. (h) Training. (1) Employee training. Effective training in the following topics shall be provided to each supervisory and non-supervisory employee before the employee begins work that should reasonably be anticipated to result in exposure to the risk of heat illness: (A) The environmental and personal risk factors for heat illness, as well as the added burden of heat load on the body caused by exertion, clothing, and personal protective equipment. (B) The employer's procedures for complying with the requirements of this standard, including, but not limited to, the employer's responsibility to provide water, shade, cool-down rests, and access to first aid as well as the employees' right to exercise their rights under this standard without retaliation. (C) The importance of frequent consumption of small quantities of water, up to 4 cups per hour, when the work environment is hot and employees are likely to be sweating more than usual in the performance of their duties. (D) The concept, importance, and methods of acclimatization pursuant to the employer's procedures under subsection (i)(4). (E) The different types of heat illness, the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and appropriate first aid and/or emergency responses to the different types of heat illness, and in addition, that heat illness may progress quickly from mild symptoms and signs to serio…

Source excerpt

# Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Workplaces Information for Employers (cont.) ## What must employers do? Access to clean drinking water: Employers are required to provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, and free of charge. It must be located as close as practicable to the work area and cooling area. If an employer does not provide plumbed water, they are required to provide at least one quart per hour per employee per shift. Employers must encourage frequent water consumption. Cool-down areas and rest periods: Employers must provide access to at least one cool-down area which must be maintained at a temperature below 82°F, blocked from direct sunlight, shielded from other high-radiant heat sources, large enough to accommodate the number of employees on rest breaks, and as close as practicable to the work area. They must allow employees who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one. In addition, employers must encourage employees to take preventative cool-down rest periods and monitor employees taking such rest periods for symptoms of heat-related illness. If symptoms persist, they may not be ordered back to work. Assessing and measuring heat: Employers must measure the temperature and heat index and record whichever is greater whenever the temperature or heat index reaches 87°F (or temperature reaches 82°F for employees working in clothing that restricts heat removal or high radiant heat areas). This is an important step to ensure that employers know when to implement control measures to keep employees safe. Emergency response procedures: Employers must provide first aid or emergency response to any workers showing heat illness signs or symptoms, including contacting emergency medical services. Acclimatization: Employers must closely observe new employees and newly assigned employees working in hot areas during a 14-day acclimatization period, as well as all employees working during a heat wave where no effective engineering controls…

Source excerpt

# Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) (cont.) ## Heat Stroke-General Symptoms: (cont.) 4. Observe and monitor employees for alertness and signs or symptoms of heat illness by implementing one or more of the following: a. Supervisor or designee observation of 20 or fewer employees b. Mandatory buddy system c. Regular communication with sole employee using radio or cellular phone d. Other effective means of observation (1) Contact employees regularly. (2) Designate one or more employees on each worksite as authorized to call for emergency medical services. 5. Remind employees throughout the work shift to drink plenty of water. 6. Provide close supervision to new employees as they may have less or no acclimatization. 7. Conduct pre-shift meetings to review the high-heat procedures and to remind employees to drink plenty of water and take a cool-down rest when necessary. H. Emergency response procedures: 3395(f) - Employers are required to implement effective emergency response procedures in the workplace. Requirements and guidance include the following: 1. Maintain effective communication by voice, observation, or electronic means. 2. Take immediate action if any signs or symptoms of heat illness in any employee is observed or reported. 3. Implement emergency response procedures if the signs or symptoms indicate severe heat illness. 4. Do not leave the employee exhibiting signs or symptoms of heat illness alone or send them home without offering onsite first aid and/or providing emergency medical services. 5. Contact emergency medical services and, if necessary, transport employees to a place where they can be reached by an emergency medical provider. 6. In the event of an emergency, make sure that clear - and precise directions to the worksite are provided to emergency responders. 7. If you have mobile crews, provide the emergency medical provider a map of the crew's location or detailed direction. I. Acc…

Source excerpt

# Section (2) Exemptions (cont.) ## Can vehicle salespeople work during their heat illness prevention rest break? (cont.) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION Are heat illness prevention rest breaks required for those who perform work in an attic? It depends on how long the work is performed in the attic. Presuming that the attic work takes longer than 15 minutes in a 60-minute period, then heat illness prevention rest breaks would be required. This type of work would not normally be classified as "rest" or "light." Are heat illness prevention rest breaks required for employees who work outside at summer camps for children when the heat index is equal to or exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit? Oregon OSHA recognizes that these situations are dynamic and that it might not be possible for employees supervising children to take their heat illness prevention rest breaks when the heat index is equal to or greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit at regular intervals. Employers should attempt to apply engineering and administrative controls to reduce these employees' exposure. Employers should plan for these situations and make provisions for water and shade, when possible. When providing shade is impossible, employers should use alternative cooling methods for these employees. If an employee is working and the heat index is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and the employer has to give breaks in the shade, can the employer rotate that employee to work inside for a while (to provide shade and a break from sun and heat), and then rotate the employee back out away from the shade? No, and this note from the rule below explains why. Note: The purpose of the heat illness prevention rest breaks is to allow the body to cool down and recover from working when the heat index equals or is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, there is nothing that prevents an employer from rotating employees inside where the heat index is less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. C…

Source excerpt

# Heat Illness Materials # Multilingual educational materials can be downloaded free from the www.99calor.org website Resources Workers' Rights Employers: Prevent Heat Illness Frequently Asked Questions Report Hazards to Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Water. Rest. Shade. español >>> YOUR EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE WATER SHADE. REST. it's the law. 877-99-CALOR In California, heat illness prevention training is required for all outdoor workers and a written prevention plan must be available at all outdoor worksites. Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention regulation applies to all outdoor places of employment such as those in the agriculture, construction, and landscaping industries. ## Steps Required to Prevent Heat Illness Water - Access to fresh water so that each worker can drink at least one quart of water per hour. Rest-A preventative cool-down rest in the shade is allowed whenever workers feel the need to prevent themselves from overheating. STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAL OSHA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DIR State of California Department of EST. 1927 Industrial Relations STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAL OSHA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 39

Source excerpt

# Appendix C (cont.) ## SAMPLE HAZARD LETTER (cont.) (A) The shade area must either be open to the air or provide mechanical ventilation for cooling. (B) The amount of shade present must be at least enough to accommodate the number of employees on recovery or rest periods, so that they can sit in a normal posture fully in the shade. (C) The shade must be located as close as practical to the areas where employees are working. (D) Shade present during meal periods must be large enough to accommodate the number of employees on the meal period that remain onsite. (b) When the employer can demonstrate that providing access to shade is not safe or feasible in a particular situation (for example, during high winds or when an employee is walking through range land), employers must identify and implement alternative cooling measures that provide equivalent protection. 2. Drinking water. Employers whose work activities are covered by this rule must ensure that an adequate supply of additional drinking water is readily accessible to employees at all times and at no cost when the heat index in the work area equals or exceeds 80° F. (a) Employers must supply each employee enough water to enable them to consume 32 ounces per hour. (b) Employers are not required to supply the entire quantity of drinking water needed for all employees on a full shift at the beginning of the shift. Employers may begin the shift with smaller quantities of drinking water if effective procedures are established to replenish the water consumed during the shift. (c) Employers must ensure that employees have ample opportunity to drink water supplied. 3. Supervisor and employee training. The employer must ensure that all employees, including new employees, supervisory, and nonsupervisory employees, are trained in the following topics, in a language readily understood, before employees begin work that can reasonably be anticipated to expose employees to a heat index equal to or in exc…

Source excerpt

# Access to Shade (1 of 2) # Encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade • Monitor employees on cool-down rests - Ask them if they're experiencing symptoms of heat illness • Allow at least a 5-minute rest and don't order back to work until symptoms have abated • Take appropriate first aid steps or emergency response as necessary DIR State of California Department of EST. 1927 Industrial Relations STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAL OSHA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 11

Source excerpt

# §3396. Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment. (cont.) (E) The different types of heat illness, the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and appropriate first aid and/or emergency responses to the different types of heat illness, and in addition, that heat illness may progress quickly from mild symptoms and signs to serious and life-threatening illness. (F) The importance of employees immediately reporting to the employer, directly or through the employee's supervisor, symptoms or signs of heat illness in themselves, or in co-workers. (G) The employer's procedures for responding to signs or symptoms of possible heat illness, including how emergency medical services will be provided should they become necessary. (H) The employer's procedures for contacting emergency medical services, and if necessary, for transporting employees to a point where they can be reached by an emergency responder. (I) The employer's procedures for ensuring that, in the event of an emergency, clear and precise directions to the worksite can and will be provided as needed to emergency responders. These procedures shall include designating a person to be available to ensure that emergency procedures are invoked when appropriate. (2) Supervisor training. Prior to supervising employees performing work that should reasonably be anticipated to result in exposure to the risk of heat illness, effective training on the following topics shall be provided to the supervisor: (A) The information required to be provided by subsection (h)(1). (B) The procedures the supervisor is to follow to implement the applicable provisions in this section. (C) The procedures the supervisor is to follow when an employee exhibits signs or reports symptoms consistent with possible heat illness, including emergency response procedures. (D) Where the work area is affected by outdoor temperatures, how to monitor weather reports and how to respond to hot weather advisories.…

Source excerpt

# PREVENTION MADE EASY (cont.) ## Hazard Identification (cont.) South Carolina OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation ## Water. Rest. Shade Ensure that cool drinking water is available and easily accessible. (Note: Certain beverages, such as caffeine and alcohol can lead to dehydration.) Encourage workers to drink a liter of water over one hour, which is about one cup every fifteen minutes. Provide or ensure that fully shaded or air- conditioned areas are available for resting and cooling down. ## Acclimatization Acclimatization is a physical change that allows the body to build a tolerance to working in the heat. It occurs by gradually increasing workloads and exposure and taking frequent breaks for water and rest in the shade. Full acclimatization may take up to 14 days or longer depending on factors relating to the individual, such as increased risk of heat illness due to certain medications or medical conditions, or the environment. New workers and those returning from a prolonged absence should begin with 20% of the workload on the first day, increasing incrementally by no more than 20% each subsequent day. During a rapid change leading to excessively hot weather or conditions such as a heatwave, even experienced workers should begin on the first day of work in excessive heat with 50% of the normal workload and time spent in the hot environment, 60% on the second day, 80% on day three, and 100% on the fourth day For more information, visit: https://osha.llr.sc.gov # Modified Work Schedules Altering work schedules may reduce workers' exposure to heat. For instance: - Reschedule all non-essential outdoor work for days with a reduced heat index. • Schedule the more physically demanding work during the cooler times of day; • Schedule less physically demanding work during warmer times of the day; • Rotate workers and split shifts, and/or add extra workers. • Work/Rest cycles, …

Source excerpt

# Section (2) Exemptions (cont.) ## Section (8) Heat Illness Prevention Plan (cont.) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION ## Section (9) Supervisor and employee training What topics must all employees, whether supervisors or non-supervisory, be trained on annually to prevent heat-related illness? Prior to being exposed to high heat, all employees must be trained in: • The environmental and personal risk factors (for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, kidney disease, obesity, etc.) for heat illness that may limit an individual's tolerance to excessive heat, as well as the added burden of heat load on the body caused by exertion, clothing (refer to Section 5 in Appendix A, Information for Heat Illness Prevention), and personal protective equipment. • The employer's procedures for complying with the requirements of this standard, including, but not limited to, the employer's responsibility to provide water, heat index information (including the risks to experiencing a heat-related illness), shade, preventative rest breaks, and access to first aid, as well as how employees can exercise their rights under this standard without fear of retaliation. • The importance of frequent consumption of small quantities of water, up to 32 ounces per hour, when the work environment is hot and employees are likely to be sweating more than usual in the performance of their duties. - The concept, importance, and methods of the acclimatization plan pursuant to the employer's procedures under section (8). - The different types of heat illness, the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and the appropriate first aid and emergency response to the different types of heat illness, including how heat illness may progress quickly from mild signs and symptoms to a serious and life-threatening condition. • The importance for employees to immediately report to the employer, directly or through the employee's supervisor, signs and symptom…

Source excerpt

# Written Plan (1 of 2) - As long as the procedures are effective, the company's Heat Illness Prevention Plan can be integrated into the IIPP - Maintain the Plan on site or close to the site, so that it can be made available to employees and representatives of Cal/OSHA upon request • The written Plan should be in English and the language understood by the majority of employees # EMPLOYER SAMPLE PROCEDURES FOR HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION Cal/OSHA Publications Unit Rev. May 2019 CAL OSHA California employers with any outdoor places of employment must comply with the Heat Illness Prevention standard, California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 3395 (8 CCR 3395). These procedures have been created to assist employers in establishing their own heat illness prevention procedures and to reduce the risk of work-related heat illnesses to their employees. These procedures are not intended to supersede or replace the application of any other title 8 sections, particularly 8 CCR 3203, Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), which requires an employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective IIPP. You may integrate your heat illness prevention procedures into your IIPP. You must also be aware that other standards also apply to heat illness prevention, such as the construction, agriculture, and general industry requirements to provide drinking water, first aid, and emergency response. Note: These procedures describe the minimum essential heat illness prevention steps applicable to most outdoor work settings. In work environments where there is a higher risk for heat illness (e.g., during a heat wave or other severe working or environmental conditions), you must exercise greater caution and employ protective measures beyond what is listed in this document, as needed t protect employees. To effectively establish your company procedures, carefully review the key elements listed in this document, as well as the examples provided, then develop written pro…

Source excerpt

# Section (2) Exemptions (cont.) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION What are some engineering or administrative controls that can be used to lower the risk of an employee experiencing a heat-related illness? Engineering controls that require a physical change to the worksite are mostly limited to five areas: 1. Increased ventilation 2. Air cooling 3. Use of fans 4. Shielding of the heat source 5. Use of insulation There are also administering controls that are mainly limited to five areas: 1. Limiting or modifying the duration of exposure time (e.g., work/rest) 2. Reducing the metabolic component of the total heat load 3. Enhancing the heat tolerance of the workers by, for example, heat acclimatization and physical conditioning 4. Training the workers in safety and health procedures for work in hot environments 5. Medical screening of workers to be aware of which individuals have low heat tolerance and/or low physical fitness Today, the heat index is predicted to be more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but it won't reach that heat index until the late afternoon; does the rule apply all day? No; the rule only applies at the time when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Do indoor swimming pools fall under the scope of this rule? Indoor swimming polls present unique workplaces, as due to the large volume of heated water, the humidity in these environments is relatively high and, in most instances, higher than the relative humidity outdoors. Employees at indoor swimming pools have access to drinking water and shade. Based on the workload examples in the Informational Appendix, lifeguards indoors would be mostly performing "light" workloads. What about lifeguards at an outdoor pool that sit under the shade for the majority of their shift; are they required to take a heat illness prevention rest break in the shade? No, lifeguards that spend the majority of their shift sitting in the shade, performing either "rest" or "l…

Source excerpt

# Raleigh, NC (cont.) OPN 141B cont'd. e. Employee Interviews. - The CSHO will conduct employee interviews and document any incidents of employees experiencing heat-related illness, information regarding heat stress training provided by the employer, first aid training program, access to prompt medical treatment, access to water, shade and/or cooler areas, the ability to rest when needed or on a pre-determined work/rest schedule, work during cooler times of day, type of clothing allowed, personal controls such as cooling vests, acclimatization program (e.g., less intense work, fewer hours, until employees get used to working in the heat), and actions already taken by the employer to correct heat stress problems when employees exhibit signs of heat stress. f. Fatality/Incident. - The CSHO will describe the events leading up to the heat illness episode or fatality. Interviews will be conducted with other employees at the scene to determine how long the affected employee was working at the site prior to the episode. The CSHO will document the medical history of the affected employee along with the engineering controls in use, the work practices and PPE used by the affected employee. 4. Closing Conference. - For work environments where a heat-related illness or the potential for a heat-related illness can be documented and for which a GDC citation is recommended, the CSHO will discuss the results of the inspection and recommend that the employer develop a heat stress prevention program or what improvements are needed within their heat stress prevention program. In cases where heat-related illness or the potential for a heat-related illness can be documented but a GDC citation is not recommended, the CSHO will document the reasons why within the narrative. The CSHO should also review the following examples of acceptable heat stress prevention program elements with the employer. - Recommended Heat Stress Prevention Program Elements. a. The development of…

Source excerpt

# Section (2) Exemptions (cont.) ## What are the required elements for an Oregon OSHA Emergency Medical Plan? (cont.) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION have, in addition to the information required in 437- 002-0161(4)(a), a definite plan of action to be followed in the event of serious injury to an employee. The plan of action shall consist of the arrangements for: (A) Communication - two-way radio telephone, or provision for emergency communication to contact the emergency medical services. (B) Transportation - availability of transportation to a point where an ambulance can be met or to the nearest suitable medical facility. Vehicles provided for this purpose shall be available at all times, shall have right-of-way over all vehicles or equipment under the control of the employer, and shall be equipped so that due consideration can be given to the proper care and comfort of the injured employee. (C) Qualified medical personnel at destination. (D) All employees shall be knowledgeable concerning the qualified first aid person(s), the first aid requirements, and emergency medical plan. ## Do you have a sample emergency medical plan? Sample plans are available online but they need to be tailored to the business operations and locations where employees are working. It's important to note: The emergency medical plan was required for some employers prior to the heat illness rules. ## Resources: • Federal OSHA - How to plan for workplace emergencies and evacuations • Oregon OSHA - Expecting the Unexpected ## Section (7) Acclimatization Plan What are some good resources to learn more about acclimatization? • CDC NIOSH Heat Stress Acclimatization Plan • CDC Acclimatizing Workers Oregon OSHA's Local Emphasis Program - Preventing Heat-Related Illness ## What are the definitions of "acclimated" and "unacclimated"? Acclimated means that employees are used to working in high-temperature environments, and unacclimated means that employee…