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 WBGTC....................................................... 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 1 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 2 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 3 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 4 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 5 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 6 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 7 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 8 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 WBGTC, 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? ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 9 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? ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 10 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 11 Heat Stress Program 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 12 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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 WBGTC) provide you with the step by step instructions and forms required for documentation. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 13 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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 WBGTC 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 14 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 15 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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 ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 16 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 17 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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 38C. 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 ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 18 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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 WBGTC This appendix provides you with the formula required to calculate average workloads and average WBGTC 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 WBGTC 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 19 Heat Stress Program May, 2002 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. ________________________________________________________________________ British Columbia Municipal Safety Association Page 20