Heat Stress
Part 1
Customization
May 13, 2002
Prepared by Allman Safety Consulting Corp.
For the British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
BCMSA
Heat Stress
Part 1
Customization
Contents
OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 1
WHAT DOES THE REGULATION REQUIRE? ................................................................. 2
Regulation Flowchart ..................................................................................................... 3
CUSTOMIZATION INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................... 11
PURPOSE ......................................................................................................................... 11
POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 11
SCOPE .............................................................................................................................. 11
DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 12
OVERVIEW OF REGULATIONS ..................................................................................... 12
RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................................... 12
PROGRAM DETAILS ....................................................................................................... 12
Program Overview and Application ............................................................................. 12
Heat Stress Hazard Identification ................................................................................. 13
Heat Stress Risk Assessment ......................................................................................... 13
Interpretation of Results ........................................................................................... 14
Supplementary Measurements .................................................................................. 14
Risk Controls................................................................................................................. 14
Engineering Controls ................................................................................................ 14
Administrative Controls ............................................................................................ 14
Personal Protective Equipment ................................................................................ 15
Posting of Heat Stress Warning Signs .......................................................................... 15
Education and Training ................................................................................................ 16
Exposure Limits of Heat Stress Regulations ............................................................. 16
Recognition of Personal Risk Factors ...................................................................... 16
Recognition of Signs and Symptoms ......................................................................... 16
Prevention and First Aid Procedures of Heat-related Disorders ............................. 16
Fluid Replacement .................................................................................................... 17
Investigation Procedures for Heat Stress-Related Illness ............................................ 17
Record Keeping ............................................................................................................. 17
Heat Stress Program Review ........................................................................................ 17
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................... 17
PROGRAM MAINTENANCE ........................................................................................... 17
DOCUMENTATION ......................................................................................................... 18
APPENDICES ................................................................................................................... 18
Appendix A – Operational Guidelines for Firefighters ................................................ 18
Appendix B – Rehabilitation Guidelines for Fire Departments.................................... 18
Appendix C – B.C. Ambulance First Responder Guidelines ........................................ 18
Appendix D – Heat Stress Hazard Identification .......................................................... 18
Appendix E – Heat Stress Risk Assessment Worksheet ................................................. 19
Appendix F – Formulae for Calculation WBGTC....................................................... 19
Appendix G – Heat Stress Exposure Control Plan ....................................................... 19
Appendix H – Formula for Calculation of Work-Work Cycles ..................................... 19
Appendix I – Record of Worker Training on Heat Stress ............................................. 19
Appendix J – WCB Heat Stress Measurement Standards ............................................. 20
Appendix K – Summary Table of Heat-Related Disorders ........................................... 20
Appendix L – Guidelines for Fluid Replacement .......................................................... 20
Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
OVERVIEW
The WCB OHS Regulation Heat Stress sections are designed to protect workers from
suffering the effects of heat stress while working in a hot environment. The Regulation is
at times, difficult to interpret and within the WCB, there continues to be different
interpretations of the Regulation. This program has been created in consultation with the
WCB and procedures that are included are approved as being in compliance with the
Regulation.
Heat stress is more likely to occur in the outdoors during the summer months,
particularly in the Central and Lower regions of the Interior of B.C. The Regulation also
applies to indoor work areas such as furnace/boiler rooms.
The onset of heat stress may be gradual, without a worker being aware that his/her
health is being affected deleteriously. It is therefore important that procedures are
implemented and followed to ensure that workers’ health is maintained when performing
tasks/duties in a hot environment. In order to know if you need to implement procedures,
you must perform a heat stress assessment if you think there is a risk of heat stress.
The Heat Stress Program is centered on the heat stress assessment, which, at first glance,
seems quite technical, as there are several mathematical equations involved in the
calculations. The program endeavors to simplify this process and contains several
examples to help you through the assessment and calculation process. The customization
program will give you the option of simplifying the program based on your needs.
If your organization employs workers who operate in a hot environment then you will
need this program. By customizing the program, you can ensure that you maintain
compliance with the Regulation and, at the same time, create a program that meets the
needs of your organization.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
WHAT DOES THE REGULATION REQUIRE?
On the following pages you will find a flow chart of the regulatory requirements. The
flow chart is designed for those who are not familiar with the WCB OHS Regulation Part
7, Sections 7.50-7.62 and Section 5.54 and their requirements. The flow chart
corresponds to the requirements of the WCB OHS Regulation, and will assist you in
determining when the requirements apply. It will also allow you to determine whether or
not those requirements apply to your workplace. You can refer to the separate “Exposure
to Hazardous Substances” Program for further information on compliance with
Regulation 5.54 (Exposure Control Plan requirements).
There is also a checklist that you can use to review your program. If you are comfortable
with the Regulation and its requirements go directly to Page No. 11 Customization
Instructions.
Print off a copy of the flow chart. Using the printed copy, go through the flow chart and
check off any boxes that are required in your organization but are not yet part of your
program. This will help you to know which parts of this program you will need to add to
your existing program.
If you do not have an existing program, the flow chart will show you the elements that are
required by WCB OHS Regulation.
If you prefer not to use flow charts, the page immediately following the flow chart will
give you a checklist that you can use for the requirements of the Heat Stress Program.
You can use this checklist to understand what the WCB OHS Regulation requires and to
check the regulatory compliance of your Heat Stress Program.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
REGULATION FLOWCHART
Are firefighters employed within
your facility?
No
Exemption clause 7.51(2)(a)-(c)
does not apply to your organization.
Yes
Do the provisions made for firefighters meet the requirements of
the exemption clause of the Heat
Stress Regulation 7.51(2)(a)-(c)?
No
Ensure the provisions for firefighters are made to meet the requirements of Regulation 7.51(2)(a)-©.
(p 6)
Yes
Are workers, excluding firefighters,
exposed to a thermal environment
exceeding the action levels of Table
7-2 or to a thermal environment that
could result in a workers core body
temperature exceeding 38°C?
No
There is no requirement for a Heat
Stress Program for workers.
Conduct a review if there is a
change in the thermal environment
that may expose workers to a new
risk of heat stress. (p 1)
Yes
Is the exposure of a worker, wearing
a single layer of light summer
clothing, maintained below the heat
exposure limits listed in Table 7-2 by
engineering or administrative
controls?
No
Ensure that the exposure of a
worker, wearing a single layer of
light summer clothing, is maintained
below the heat exposure limits listed
in Table 7-2 by engineering or
administrative controls. (p 9)
Yes
Continued on next page.
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
Regulation Flowchart – continued
Is the exposure of an unacclimatized worker, wearing a single layer
of light summer clothing, maintained below the heat action levels
listed in Table 7-2?
No
Ensure that the exposure of an
unacclimatized worker, wearing a
single layer of light summer clothing, is maintained below the heat
action levels listed in Table 7-2.
(p 9)
Yes
If clothing, other than a single layer
of light summer clothing, is to be
worn, are heat action levels and
exposure limits adjusted using the
appropriate clothing correction
value listed in Table 7-3?
No
Ensure that heat action levels and
exposure limits are adjusted using
the appropriate clothing correction
value listed in Table 7-3 when
clothing, other than a single layer of
light summer clothing, is to be
worn. (Appendix D)
Yes
Is a heat assessment conducted
when a worker is or may be
exposed to conditions that could
cause heat-related disorders?
No
Ensure that a heat assessment is
conducted when a worker is or may
be exposed to conditions that could
cause heat-related disorders. (p 7)
Yes
Does the heat assessment determine
the potential for overexposure by
measuring the WBGTºC, or other
measuring standard acceptable to
the WCB, in the work area?
No
Ensure that the heat assessment
determines the potential for overexposure by measuring the WBGTºC
or other measuring standard acceptable to the WCB.
(p 8, Appendix F)
Yes
Continued on next page.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
Regulation Flowchart – continued
When the heat stress assessment
determines that workers are or may be
regularly exposed to thermal environments exceeding heat action levels
listed in Table 7-2, is an exposure control plan developed and implemented in
accordance with Reg. 5.54?
No
Ensure that an exposure control
plan is developed and implemented
when the heat stress assessment
shows that workers are, or may be,
regularly exposed to heat exceeding
the limits of the heat action levels.
(p 9, 13)
No
Implement engineering controls
where practicable, to reduce
exposure below the heat exposure
limits. (p 9)
No
When engineering controls are not
practicable, implement administrative controls to reduce exposure below the heat exposure limits. (p 10)
Yes
Where practicable, are engineering
controls implemented to reduce exposure below the heat exposure limits?
Yes
When engineering controls are not
practicable, are administrative controls
implemented to reduce exposure below
the heat exposure limits?
Yes
Is personal protective equipment
provided to reduce workers’
exposure to heat stress when it provides equally effective protection as
administrative controls?
No
Provide personal protective
equipment to reduce workers’
exposure to heat stress when it
provides equally effective protections as administrative controls.
(p 13)
Yes
Continued on next page.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
Regulation Flowchart – continued
Is an adequate supply of cool
potable water provided and
maintained close to the work area
for the use of a heat exposed
worker?
No
Ensure that there is an adequate
supply of cool potable water
provided and maintained close to
the work area for the use of a heat
exposed worker. (p 13)
Yes
Is a worker removed from a hot
environment if he/she exhibits signs
and symptoms of a heat-related disorder?
No
Ensure that a worker is removed
from a hot environment if he/she
exhibits signs and symptoms of a
heat-related disorder. (p 14)
Yes
Is a worker, who displays signs and
symptoms of a heat-related
disorder, assessed by a Level 2 or
Level 3 First Aid Attendant, if
available, or by a physician?
No
Ensure that workers who display
signs and symptoms of a heatrelated disorder, are assessed by a
Level 2 or Level 3 First Aid Attendant, if available, or by a physician.
P 14)
No
Ensure that heat stress hazard
warning signs are posted in indoor
work areas where heat exposure
limits could be exceeded if a worker
was continuously exposed to heat.
(P 13)
Yes
Are heat stress hazard warning
signs posted in indoor work areas
where heat exposure limits could be
exceeded if a worker was
continuously exposed to heat?
Yes
Continued on next page.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
Regulation Flowchart – continued
Are workers and supervisors who
are at risk of heat-related disorders,
educated and trained in the
recognition of signs and symptoms
of heat-related disorders?
No
Ensure that workers and supervisors
who are at risk of heat-related
disorders, are educated and trained
in the recognition of signs and
symptoms of heat-related disorders.
(p 13)
Yes
Are workers and supervisors who
are at risk of heat-related disorders,
educated and trained in the responsibility to leave the hot environment
if signs and symptoms of a heatrelated disorder occur?
No
Ensure that workers and supervisors
who are at risk of heat-related
disorders, are educated and trained
in the responsibility to leave the hot
environment if signs and symptoms
of a heat-related disorder occur.
(p 13)
No
Maintain records of heats stress
assessments performed, when
required by the WCB. (p 15)
Yes
Are records maintained of the heat
stress assessments that have been
performed, when required by the
WCB?
Yes
Are records maintained of worker
education and training, when
required by the WCB?
No
Maintain records of worker education and training, when required by
the WCB. (p 15)
Yes
Continued on next page.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
Regulation Flowchart – continued
Is the Heat Stress Exposure Control
Plan reviewed annually and updated
as necessary?
No
Review the Heat Stress Exposure
Control Plan annually and update as
necessary. (p 15)
Yes
Is the Heat Stress Exposure Control
Plan reviewed in consultation with
the JHS Committee or Worker
Health and Safety Representative,
as applicable?
No
Ensure that the Heat Stress
Exposure Control Plan is reviewed
in consultation with the JHS
Committee or Worker Health and
Safety Representative, as
applicable. (p 15)
Yes
Implement program and review as
required.
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
REGULATION CHECKLIST
Regulatory Requirements for the Heat Stress Program
(Answers to all questions must be YES.)

If firefighters are employed within your facility, do the provisions made for
firefighters meet the requirements of the exemption clause of the Heat Stress
Regulation 7.51 (2)(a)-(c)?

Is the exposure of workers wearing a single layer of light summer clothing
maintained below the heat exposure limits listed in Table 7-2 by engineering or
administrative controls?

Is the exposure of an unacclimatized worker, wearing a single layer of light summer
clothing, maintained below the heat action levels listed in Table 7-2?

If clothing, other than a single layer of light summer clothing, is to be worn, are heat
action levels and exposure limits adjusted using the appropriate clothing correction
value listed in Table 7-3?

Is a heat assessment conducted when a worker is or may be exposed to conditions
that could cause heat-related disorders?

Does the heat assessment determine the potential for overexposure by measuring the
WBGTC, or other measuring standard acceptable to the WCB, in the work area?

When the heat stress assessment determines that workers are or may be regularly
exposed to thermal environments exceeding heat action levels listed in Table 7-2, is
an exposure control plan developed and implemented in accordance with OHS Reg.
5.54?

Are records maintained of the heat stress assessments that have been performed,
when required by the WCB?

Where practicable, are engineering controls implemented to reduce workers’
exposure below the heat exposure limits?

When engineering controls are not practicable, are administrative controls
implemented to reduce workers’ exposure below the heat exposure limits?

Is personal protective equipment provided to reduce workers’ exposure to heat stress
when it provides equally effective protection as administrative controls?

Is an adequate supply of cool potable water provided and maintained close to the
work area for the use of a heat-exposed worker?
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002

Is a worker removed from a hot environment if he/she exhibits signs and symptoms of
a heat-related disorder?

Is a worker who displays signs and symptoms of a heat-related disorder assessed by a
Level 2 or Level 3 First Aid Attendant, if available, or by a physician?

Are heat stress hazard warning signs posted in indoor work areas where heat
exposure limits could be exceeded if a worker was continuously exposed to heat?

Are workers and supervisors who are at risk of heat-related disorders, educated and
trained in the recognition of signs and symptoms of heat-related disorders?

Are workers and supervisors who are at risk of heat-related disorders educated and
trained in the responsibility to leave the hot environment if signs and symptoms of a
heat-related disorder occur?

Are records maintained of worker education and training, when required by the
WCB?

Is the Heat Stress Exposure Control Plan reviewed annually and updated as
necessary?

Is the Heat Stress Exposure Control Plan reviewed in consultation with the JHS
Committee or Worker Health and Safety Representative, as applicable?
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British Columbia Municipal Safety Association
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Heat Stress Program
May, 2002
CUSTOMIZATION INSTRUCTIONS
Now that you have looked at the flowchart and checklist, you have a good idea of whether
or not you need the program, and what parts of it you need. In order for this program to
be useful, you must customize it so that it meets your needs. Following are the
instructions on how to customize each section of the program.
Open the program framework, and read each of the sections to determine whether or not
customization is necessary for your organization. The headings below are in the same
order as the headings in the program framework. If you have printed this section, you
can follow these instructions as you read through the program framework.
Wherever you see the word [[Corporation]], replace it with the name of your
organization.
PURPOSE
This program has a purpose statement just like the other BCMSA health and safety
programs. Not all organizations include a purpose statement in the program. If you do
not require a purpose statement you can delete the section now. If you want to use a
purpose statement, you may decide to modify this one. You should do so now.
POLICY
This policy statement is simple and concise. It is designed to fit into your larger
Occupational Health and Safety Program. This policy commits you to maintaining a Heat
Stress Program to reduce the risk of worker exposure to Heat Stress.
Since the program has another section for responsibilities, responsibilities are not
included in the policy statement. If your organization uses more comprehensive policy
statements, then you can modify this one. If you want to add the responsibilities to the
policy statement, you can cut and paste that section into the end of the policy statement.
You may have another statement that you wish to place in this policy. If so you can do so
at this time.
SCOPE
The scope statement outlines those workers that this program will affect under the
jurisdiction of your organization. This includes contractors as well as your own workers.
A scope statement is not required by the Regulation, so if you wish to delete this section
you can do so now. You may wish to expand the statement to name specific workers,
occupations and departments that may be directly affected by heat stress. You may also
wish the program to apply only to certain workers of your organization who you know to
be exposed. You may also wish to exclude workers that you know will not be exposed to
heat. If so, you should change this section now.
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May, 2002
DEFINITIONS
There is no requirement to customize the definitions. If the workers and management in
your organization are familiar with these terms, you may be able to remove some of them
because they are redundant. If, when you are reading through the program, you find that
there are unfamiliar terms that are not included in the definitions you may wish to add
them.
OVERVIEW OF REGULATIONS
This section includes a summary of the requirements of the WCB OHS Regulation Part 7,
Section 7.50-7.62. You can also refer to the separate “Exposure to Hazardous
Substances” program for an overview of WCB OHS Regulation 5.54 (Exposure Control
Plans). There is no requirement to customize this section. If your workers and
management are familiar with the WCB requirements, you can remove this section.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This section outlines responsibilities of the employer, Joint Occupational Health and
Safety committee and workers. You may wish to delegate some of the responsibilities of
the employer to other individuals. In that case you should have a discussion with those
individuals to ensure that they understand the responsibilities that are being delegated.
You may also want to change some of the responsibilities once you have customized later
sections. In that case you should leave this section and come back to it later.
Assigning responsibilities is one of the most important customization details for the
program. You should take some time to decide who should be performing the duties that
are listed under responsibilities. You may want to make these decisions as a group.
PROGRAM DETAILS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND APPLICATION
The program overview outlines the heat stress requirements in the WCB OHS Regulation
and explains the exemption clause for firefighters.
The first section deals with an exemption for firefighters to let them do their job. If you do
not have firefighters, you should remove this section. Firefighters are exempt from
complying with the WCB Heat Stress Regulation sections 7.52-7.62 if written procedures
are in place that comply with the exemption clause.
You should determine whether your existing firefighter procedures for heat stress comply
with this exemption clause. This is a very important section if you have firefighters. If you
do not qualify for the exemption, your firefighters would not be able to fight fire.
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Sample procedures are provided in Appendix A (Operational Guidelines for Fire
Departments), Appendix B (Rehabilitation Guidelines for Fire Departments) and
Appendix C (BC Ambulance First Responder Guidelines). If you do not have existing
written Heat Stress procedures for your Fire Department, you may wish to use the
information in these three appendices and develop your own set of procedures.
If your Fire Department already has a set of written procedures for Heat Stress that
comply with the exemption clause in Regulation 7.51(2), you should customize this
section to reflect the procedures that firefighters will follow in your organization. You
should also customize Appendices A, B and C as applicable.
HEAT STRESS HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
This section of the program commits your organization to identify tasks and work areas
having the potential to expose workers to the risk of heat stress. Five categories of “at
risk” work areas/tasks are listed. You may wish to expand on each of these categories to
reflect specific hazardous work areas and/or tasks that are likely to be present in your
organization.
For example, the first bullet may be modified to list the specific areas or occupations
within your organization that may be identified with heat stress. Continue down the list of
bullets and customize where applicable. Similarly, if you have never had a report of heat
stress in your organization, you can remove the reference to first aid reports.
Simply stated, if you do not have work in temperatures exceeding 23C, you will not
identify any hazards.
The results of the hazard identification must be documented. A sample form is located in
Appendix D. If you already have a form that you use for documenting results, you should
replace Appendix D.
Step 2 of the hazard identification commits you to instruct workers on personal risk
factors for heat stress. These are the factors identified by WCB so there is no need to
modify this paragraph.
HEAT STRESS RISK ASSESSMENT
Once hazards have been identified, your organization is committed to conduct a heat
stress risk assessment. The assessment will look at four components of the work area and
task involved. The risk assessment worksheet takes you through each of the components
in turn and guides you step by step through the measurements and calculations that are
required. To facilitate this process, the forms located in Appendix E (Heat Stress Risk
Assessment Worksheet) and Appendix F (Formulae for Calculation of WBGTC) provide
you with the step by step instructions and forms required for documentation.
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If your organization has an existing form that you use for the risk assessment, you should
replace Appendix E with your existing form.
Interpretation of Results
This subsection guides you on the interpretation of your risk assessment results. The table
is supplied by WCB and is designed to help you determine the appropriate thermal
environment that workers can be safely exposed to when performing their tasks.
If your results show that workers are or may be exposed to an environment in excess of
the heat action levels/exposure limits listed in the Table, your organization is required to
develop and implement an exposure control plan. You can refer to the form in Appendix
G (Heat Stress Exposure Control Plan) which you can use to document your exposure
control plan. If you have an existing control plan that meets compliance requirements,
you should replace Appendix G with your existing form.
Supplementary Measurements
Recording WBGTC is not always a sufficient marker to determine appropriate
protection for your workers against exposure to heat stress. In such situations, although
rare in occurrence, supplementary measures are required. This subsection takes you
through various methods that may be used. There is no need to customize this subsection
unless you have alternate methods that your organization currently uses. If this is so, you
should modify this section now to reflect your existing practices.
If there will never be a situation when supplementary measurements are required, you
can delete this section.
RISK CONTROLS
This section commits your organization to reduce workers’ exposure below the heat
exposure limits by implementing risk controls. There is an order to follow when you
implement the various types of controls, starting with engineering controls. The order for
risk control implementation is a directive from WCB and therefore should not be
changed.
Engineering Controls
This subsection provides you with examples of engineering controls. You should read
through this list and decide which controls you are most likely to use. Modify the lists to
reflect your decisions. If you use other engineering methods you should insert them here.
Administrative Controls
This subsection provides you with examples of administrative controls. The section starts
with education, which need not be customized.
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The second example of administrative controls gives work-rest cycles. The example
shown is the simplest method to calculate. It is not always the most productive. There are
actually 3 possibilities:

Work/rest in the same temperature (simplest and shown)

Work in a hot temperature, rest in a cooler temperature

Work in a hot temperature, work in a cooler temperature.
Appendix H (Formula for Calculation of Work-Work Cycles) shows how to calculate the
various options. Take a look at the calculations and work through one that would apply
to your workplace. You will see that the work to rest ratios can be very different,
depending on which option you choose.
You may also find that for your organization the calculations are more trouble than they
are worth, and you will go with the easiest work/rest protocol. The decision is one of
economics, not safety.
When you decide the complexity that you wish to accept, delete the parts of the
appendices that do not apply.
Acclimatization
This section lists the standard acclimatization schedules. You may want to add
information on how the rest of the time will be spent by workers who start work in a hot
environment at 50% of the time. Remember that this is not a work rest regime, so other
work in a cooler environment is acceptable without any calculations.
Scheduling and organization
This section lists 8 different ways to schedule work to reduce the risk of heat stress.
Delete those that are not appropriate to your workplace.. The remaining parts of
administrative controls do not need to be customized.
Personal Protective Equipment
This subsection contains a brief statement saying that your organization will focus on
using engineering and administrative controls. If your organization uses PPE to reduce
the risk of heat stress, you should modify this section to state the type of PPE used by
your workers. Exclude firefighters who qualify for the exemption.
POSTING OF HEAT STRESS WARNING SIGNS
This section simply commits you to posting Heat Stress Warning Signs when required by
the Regulation. There is no need to make changes.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
This section commits your organization to provide workers with training on heat stress.
The section outlines when training must be given and what the training will include. The
bulleted items are regulatory requirements and therefore must not be deleted. If you have
additional items for training, you should add them here.
Reference is made to Appendix I (Record of Worker Training). If you have an existing
form that is used to record worker training, you should replace Appendix I.
Reference is also made to Appendix J which contains a WCB document called “Heat
Stress Measurement Standards.” It is designed to be taken out into the field and be used
as a source of information on heat stress to workers. The document contains a lot of
information and you may feel that the worker out in the field does not require all of this
information. You should read through the document, located in Appendix J and modify it
according to your needs. The WCB document is not a requirement of the Regulation and
may be removed from the program if you wish.
The following 5 subsections simply state what the contents of the worker training should
include. If you have an existing training program on heat stress that covers all
subsections, you can remove the subsections from the program and simply reference your
existing training program here.
Exposure Limits of Heat Stress Regulations
This subsection simply commits you to include Exposure Limits of Heat Stress
Regulations as part of worker training. There is no need to modify this section.
Recognition of Personal Risk Factors
There is no need to modify this subsection. It simply lists information on personal risk
factors to be included in worker training. If you wish to remove this section and put it in
your training materials, you should do so now.
Recognition of Signs and Symptoms
This subsection refers you to the information on signs and symptoms of heat stress
located in Appendix K. The table is produced by WCB and therefore does not need to be
modified. However, if you have an existing format for worker training on signs and
symptoms of heat stress you may wish to replace Appendix K.
Prevention and First Aid Procedures for Heat-related Disorders
This subsection outlines the requirement for worker removal from hot environments when
displaying signs and symptoms of Heat Stress. It is required for program compliance and
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therefore should not be deleted. If you have additional existing practices that you
undertake, you should modify this section to include your procedures.
Fluid Replacement
This subsection commits you to educate your workers on the importance of fluid
replacement. You are referred to the information in Appendix L. If you have an existing
training program for workers that includes fluid replacement you should refer to it here
and modify the appendix as appropriate.
INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES FOR HEAT STRESS-RELATED ILLNESS
This section commits you to conduct an investigation in response to a worker reporting
or suffering a heat-related disorder. A list of elements is provided that should probably
be included in any investigation into heat stress. These elements are not required by the
regulation and can be modified. If you have an existing accident investigation that will
result in these questions being asked, then you can modify or remove this section.
RECORD KEEPING
This section commits you to maintain records applicable to the Heat Stress Program.
There is no need to modify this section.
HEAT STRESS PROGRAM REVIEW
This section commits you to review the Heat Stress Program to ensure that your
organization remains in compliance with WCB requirements. The 5 elements that are
listed are a minimum for review and should not be replaced. If your organization has
additional items that are reviewed, you should modify this list accordingly.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
This training program includes a goal, objectives and a summary of training. The goal is
a general statement of awareness. The objectives are a more measurable statement about
what the audience will know by the end of the training session.
Review the objectives to determine if they meet your needs.
The summary of training lists the components of the training course. You should remove
those that do not apply to your organization.
PROGRAM MAINTENANCE
This section outlines the activities that are required to maintain the program. If your
organization uses additional activities, you should refer to them here.
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DOCUMENTATION
Throughout the program are references to documents. This section lists the documents
that must be maintained as part of the due diligence of the organization. You may want to
modify this section to note where you keep each of these documents. If any of these
documents do not apply to your program, or if you have modified the program so that
reference to these documents has been removed, then you should modify this section.
APPENDICES
The information to be recorded on each form in this program is the minimum
requirement regulated by WCB. If additional data is being gathered then the appropriate
form should be modified to accommodate additional findings/data.
APPENDIX A – OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR FIREFIGHTERS
In order for firefighters to be exempt from complying with sections 7.52-7.62 of the Heat
Stress Regulation, special provisions must be made to ensure that the firefighter’s core
body temperature is maintained below 38C.
The “Operational Guidelines” in Appendix A are designed to meet the requirements of
the special provisions. The information in this appendix is a sample set of procedures. If
your organization has an existing set of procedures they should either be incorporated
into those in this appendix or replace those in this appendix.
If you do not have firefighters in your organization, you should remove this appendix and
the next two appendices.
APPENDIX B – REHABILITATION GUIDELINES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The information in Appendix B is to supplement the information provided for the
Operational Guidelines for Firefighters. You can either incorporate this information into
Appendix A, leave it as it is, or delete it from the program.
APPENDIX C – B.C. AMBULANCE FIRST RESPONDER GUIDELINES
The information in Appendix C is included as additional information for firefighters and
their Operational Guidelines. Note: there is some overlap in the information given in
Appendices A, B and C. Ideally, your organization should combine the appropriate
information from the three appendices and produce one document which may be called
Operational Guidelines for Firefighters. This document should also meet the compliance
requirements with section 7.51(2) of the Regulation.
APPENDIX D – HEAT STRESS HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
This three-page appendix can be used to identify risk factors for heat stress. It focuses on
environmental conditions, workload for activities and clothing. These are WCB
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requirements for the hazard identification and should not be changed. If you have a
different process for identifying risk factors, you should replace this appendix.
APPENDIX E – HEAT STRESS RISK ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET
This six-page appendix is one methodology that can be used to assess risk factors for
heat stress. It is divided into 5 sections to make the assessment process more
straightforward. If you have a different system in place for assessing risk factors, then
you should replace this appendix.
APPENDIX F – FORMULAE FOR CALCULATION WBGTC
This appendix provides you with the formula required to calculate average workloads
and average WBGTC during the risk assessment. Appendix E will guide you to Appendix
F when you reach that stage in the assessment. An example of a calculation is given.
There is no need to customize this appendix, as the formula is a WCB creation. You can
remove the example if you don’t need it, and you can remove this appendix if you have
decided to simply use the simple work/rest regime calculation.
APPENDIX G – HEAT STRESS EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN
This two-page appendix is a form that has been created to ensure compliance with
section 5.54 of the Regulation. If you have another method of documenting a heat stress
exposure control plan, you should replace this appendix.
APPENDIX H – FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF WORK-WORK CYCLES
One of the options for implementing administrative controls is to develop and implement
a work-rest cycle for workers operating in a hot environment. The example of the workrest cycle given in the framework suggests that the worker switch between working and
resting, depending on environmental temperatures and workload of the activity.
If your organization requires workers to keep working, thereby making the suggested
work-rest cycle unacceptable, you must develop your own regime. The formula in this
appendix will help you to do this. The process of calculating a work-work cycle is
complex and will require you to make various WBGTC and activity workload
measurements over and above those required for the heat stress risk assessment.
APPENDIX I – RECORD OF WORKER TRAINING ON HEAT STRESS
This appendix contains an example of a form that can be used to list the education and
training that the worker has received. If you have another method of documenting worker
training that meets the requirements of the Regulation, you can replace or delete this
appendix.
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APPENDIX J – WCB HEAT STRESS MEASUREMENT STANDARDS
This appendix contains a WCB document on matters relating to working in a hot
environment. It is an attempt by WCB to simplify the requirements for WBGT
measurements for those organizations that do not have the expertise to do such
measurements.
It covers issues such as measurement techniques, signs and symptoms of heat stress and a
brief outline on risk controls. WCB proposed that the document be taken out into the field
by those workers operating in a hot environment. If your organization likes the concept of
a simpler process that has its own restrictions, then you can modify the contents to ensure
that it is useful and appropriate for your workers.
It is not a requirement of the program to have this appendix. You may wish to modify it to
reflect your workers’ needs or delete it entirely.
APPENDIX K – SUMMARY TABLE OF HEAT-RELATED DISORDERS
Regulation 7.61 requires that workers who may be exposed to the risk of heat stress be
educated in heat stress. This two-page appendix can form the basis of this education. If
you have another method for educating workers on the signs and symptoms of heatrelated disorders, you may want to replace this appendix.
APPENDIX L – GUIDELINES FOR FLUID REPLACEMENT
This appendix works closely with appendix K providing information to workers on heat
stress. This appendix is dedicated to the importance of fluids when working in hot
environments. If you have an existing education package on fluid replacement, you
should replace this appendix.
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