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