Cal/OSHA requires training for each employee, including managers, in heat illness prevention before starting any work that has the risk of exposure to heat. Managers, in their supervisory role, must be able to understand the causes, prevention, and symptoms of, and remedies for heat stress. They are responsible for ensuring each employee is offered and completes the employee heat illness prevention training, keeping training records, reviewing the draft Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) provided on our Celly Services Inc. E-Learn site, and making site-specific changes as necessary. The HIPP must be available to all employees. Guidance for managers on Heat Illness Prevention is provided below. For complete details, please refer to your HIPP by scanning the QR code. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3395.html Background Both Cal/OSHA and Federal OSHA require that employers take affirmative and preventative actions to reduce heat stress. The law, enacted in California several years ago and updated in 2015, requires employers to train all employees — supervisory and non‑supervisory — to prevent heat stress. This memo provides you with guidance on the statute and steps you may take to comply with the law and protect employee health. Cal/OSHA requires you to show your HIPP and proof of employee training on heat stress when they inspect your facility. Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illness and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up glasses and dizziness. Burns may also occur because of contact with hot surfaces. Such stress can affect employee judgment. Current law applies to “outdoor places of employment.” Employees working outdoors, such as salespersons and porters in the lot, technicians and parts delivery drivers are at a high risk of heat stress. Shops with marginal ventilation, metal roofs and/or hot engines idling may increase the ambient temperatures, making heat stress an issue. All managers must be familiar with their Heat Illness Prevention Program in its entirety. Monitoring Weather Managers should check the extended weather forecast in advance using weather forecasting tools such as The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool provided by the Centers for Disease Control’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A work schedule must be planned based on weather conditions. For example, heavy-duty jobs should be scheduled for early (cooler) parts of the day. To access the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, scan the QR code. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html Swamp Coolers Portable evaporative coolers should be installed in the shop area during hot summer days. The size and number of coolers will be determined by the size and airflow in the shop area. The coolers are an electrical appliance and should be used with caution. The operating manual for the cooler must be reviewed by the shop staff. Test your coolers and A/C systems at your facility. It is better to address defective or compromised cooling systems now rather than wait for extreme weather. Fans in the shop area provide limited relief and as such swamp coolers may become necessary to cool workplaces. During periods of high humidity, fans may provide better relief than swamp coolers. Start a Conversation With Your Employees The conversation should be about the possible impact of hot ambient temperatures, working with hot machinery and the various means of alleviating the effects of heat. Training should include topics as follows: • Closely Observe: All employees shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee during a heat wave. For purposes of this section only, OSHA regulations state “heat wave” is any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days. Heat Illness Prevention By Sam Celly, BChE MChE, JD CSP, Celly Services Inc. 22 SAN DIEGO DEALER
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