As we all sweated through another hot summer trying to keep cool at home, CAL-OSHA and Washington DOSH have been busy trying to make sure our employers keep us cool at work too.
In 2005 California was the first state in the nation to implement a Heat Illness Prevention standard, mandating that employers take steps to reduce heat related illnesses on the job, with emphasis placed on the agricultural and construction trades who comprise most of the outdoor labor force during the hot summer months. Washington State followed California’s lead by establishing its own rule in 2008. Where there are technical differences between the two standards, the main points to both plans are:
Planning—Employers must develop written site specific plans for preventing Heat Illness. Plans must address how the employer will provide water and shade, including quantities to have available, where to obtain it, and locations to be placed on site.
Training—Train all employees and supervisors on the subject of heat illness. The plans stress recognition of trigger conditions (temperatures, clothing levels, etc), symptoms of heat illness (especially heat exhaustion and heat stroke), and methods of prevention.
Water—The main defense against heat illness is drinking water. Employers must provide at least 1 quart per hour per employee in a drinkable condition (clean, cool, with adequate cups, etc). In addition to providing water, employers must encourage workers to actually drink it, locating water supplies in convenient spots to allow for water consumption with minimal disruption to the work flow.
Shade—Employers in California must provide shade for workers to rest in. Shade can be provided by anything that blocks the sun’s path, however, the employer must evaluate work sites before work starts, and identify shaded locations. If no natural shade is available, artificial shade from self supporting canopies or other means must be provided at the work site.
Monitoring of workers—Workers and their supervisors must monitor each other for signs and symptoms of heat related illness. Workers showing signs of heat illness onset must be relieved of work duty and provided with water, shade, and other means as needed to reduce body temperature.
Both Cal-OSHA and Washington DOSH have created training materials and extensive outreach programs. More information can be found at:
California:
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/HeatIllnessinfo.html
Washington: http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/topics/atoz/heatstress/default.asp
Eric Hartman, CIH, Sr. Project Manager – Seattle, Washington
rgaenvblog.wordpress.com 