Find out how to prevent heat-related illness this summer.
Summer is here. With rising temperatures, it’s important to be aware of heat-related illness. From heat exhaustion to heat stroke, it’s important to be extra careful when outdoors this summer. It is dangerous to work in the heat. It is just as important for employers to be aware of indoor temperatures. Heat related illnesses can happen indoors too. With triple digit temperatures expected throughout the summer, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has encouraged employers to review their Heat related Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Ensure that your business is prepared for the heat with these guidelines to assist in drafting a revised Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
Heat Exposure and Businesses.
In the state of California, legislation requires employers to be informed about heat illness and take steps to keep employees safe. Additionally, they must educate and train employees about how to stay safe while working in the heat, both indoors and outdoors. The state of California requires that employers must:
- Train and educate all employees about heat illness and how to prevent it.
- Give employees adequate water and encourage them to stay hydrated. Employers must supply enough water to keep each employee hydrated. These parameters are one quart per hour of four 8-oz glasses of water per hour.
- Employees must have access to shade and must be able to use it when necessary for at least five minutes.
- Develop an injury and illness prevention program to comply with California’s OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.
Revising Your Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
When it comes to keeping your employees safe, it’s imperative that you update your injury and illness prevention plan, especially when it comes to high heat. Ensure that you monitor the temperature, take steps to educate employees and supervisors about how to prevent and recognize heat illness symptoms, provide the necessary resources such as water and shade to lessen the risk of heat illness, have the protocol in place to call for emergency services if necessary, and outline acclimatization methods and procedures.
