Keeping Your Cool When Heat Returns

Right now, outdoor workers in most of the country are more concerned about keeping warm than staying cool, but CWA wants members to be ready when high temperatures return.

Last year, following the heat-related deaths of 13 workers statewide in 2005, the California Occupational Safety and Health Department set a standard for employers to reduce workers' risk. The guideless should be followed by workers everywhere:

• Recognize the hazard. Even working in 70-degree weather can present a risk for workers doing physical work while wearing protective clothing. In temperatures above 90 degrees "heat risk reduction needs to be a major concern."
• Water. Workers must have an adequate supply of clean, cool water and should drink the equivalent of four eight-ounce glasses per hour. For an eight-hour day, this means employers must provide two or more gallons per person.
• Shade and rest breaks. Direct heat from the sun can add as much as 15 degrees to the heat index. Rest breaks in shaded areas are vital for cooling off and providing time to drink water.
• Acclimatization. People need time for their bodies to adjust to working in the heat. After prolonged absences or illness and for workers moving from a cool to hot climate, it is recommended that workers be given four to 10 days to adjust to a full schedule outdoors.
• Prompt medical attention. Early symptoms of heat illness can include headache, muscle cramps and usual fatigue. More serious symptoms can come on suddenly, including vomiting, rapid pulse, excessive sweating or hot dry skin, seizures, fainting and loss of consciousness. If first aid-trained personnel are not on site to make an assessment, workers should immediately call 911.
• Training. Supervisors and employees should be thoroughly trained in all of the above subjects.
• Written Procedures. Under California's new standard, employers are required to put their heat illness prevention procedures, including training programs, in writing.

A pdf of the full Cal/OSHA heat advisory is available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/heatadvisory.pdf