Heat Illness
Prevention
Training
Developed and provided as courtesy by
CSU, Stanislaus EHS&EM in Partnership
with CSU Pomona EH&S
Revised: 05/12/2015
What is Extreme Heat?
•
Most of us associate extreme heat with a heat wave,
but, any high temperature condition that your body is
not acclimated to could constitute high heat.
•
A Heat Wave is where there is more than 48 hours of
high heat (90ºF or higher) and high humidity (80%
relative humidity or higher) are expected.
Note: Cal OSHA defines a heat wave as any day which the
predicted temperature is at least 80 ºF and at least ten degrees
higher than the average high temperature in the past five days.
•
Heat Index is a number in degrees Fahrenheit that
tells how hot it really feels with the heat and humidity.
Exposure to full sun can increase the heat index by
15ºF.
Weather & Other Heat
Information Web Sites
Title
Web Link
Weather at Cal Poly Pomona (Onsite https://www.cpp.edu/weather.shtml
Weather Station)
Data Retrieval:
http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov/WSNReport
Criteria.aspx
Weather Underground for Pomona
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherforecast/zmw:91768.1.99999?MR=1
Weather.com for Pomona
http://www.weather.com/weather/5day/l/9
1768:4:US
Cal OSHA Heat Illness Prevention
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.
html
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/in
dex.html
Federal OSHA Campaign to Prevent
Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers
Heat Safety Tool Smartphone App
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/he
at_index/heat_app.html
Types of Heat Illnesses:
• Sunburn
• Heat Cramps
• Heat
Exhaustion
• Heat Stroke
Sunburn
is caused when the skin is exposed for
long periods of time to radiant effects of
the sun. Mild sunburn appears pink to
red in color and typically is dry to the
touch. Advanced sunburn may appear
red in color and my feel wet due to
blisters that may have erupted.
Heat Cramps
are muscular pains and spasms due to
heavy exertion and/or low levels
electrolytes in your body. Although heat
cramps are the least severe, they are
often the first signal that the body is
having trouble with the heat.
Heat Exhaustion
typically occurs when people exercise heavily
or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids
are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to
the skin increases, causing blood flow to
decrease to the vital organs. This results in a
form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s
condition will worsen. Body temperature will
keep rising and the victim may suffer heat
stroke.
Heat Stroke
is a life threatening condition. The
victim’s temperature control system,
which produces sweating to cool the
body, stops working. The body
temperature can rise so high that brain
damage and even death may result if the
body is not cooled quickly.
Condition
Symptoms
First Aid
Sunburn
Skin redness and pain,
possible swelling,
blisters, fever,
headaches.
• Take a shower using mild soap to remove oils that may
block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally.
• Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get
medical attention.
Heat Cramps
Painful spasms,
usually in leg and
abdominal muscles;
heavy sweating.
• Get the victim to a cooler location.
• Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to
relieve spasms.
• Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water or electrolytic
fluid (Gatorade, Thirst-Aide, etc.) every 15 minutes. (Do
not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.)
• Discontinue liquids if victim is nauseated.
Heat
Exhaustion
Heavy sweating but
skin my be cool, pale,
or flushed. Weak
pulse. Normal body
temperature is
possible, but
temperature will likely
rise. Fainting,
dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, exhaustion,
and headaches are
possible.
• Immediately call 9-1-1 and give them your exact location,
contact information and nature of illness.
• Stay with the victim until help arrives.
• Get victim to lie down in a cool place in the shade.
• Loosen or remove clothing.
• Apply cool, wet cloths to cool them.
• Fan or move the victim to air-conditioned place.
• If necessary, poor water on the victim. Do Not use Ice
Water.
• Give sips of water if victim is conscious.
• Be sure water is consumed slowly.
• Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.
Condition
Symptoms
First Aid
Heat Stroke
High body
temperature (103+);
hot, red, dry skin;
rapid, weak pulse;
and rapid shallow
breathing. Victim
will probably not
sweat unless victim
was sweating from
recent strenuous
activity. Possible
unconsciousness.
• Call 9-1-1 for emergency medical assistance and give
them your exact location, contact information and nature
of illness, or get the victim to the hospital immediately.
Delay can be fatal.
• Stay with the victim until help arrives.
• Move victim to a cooler environment in the shade.
• Remove clothing.
• Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body
temperature.
• If necessary, poor water on the victim. Do Not use ice
water.
• Watch for breathing problems.
• Use extreme caution.
• Use fans and air conditioners, if possible.
• Give sips of water if the victim is conscious.
• Be sure water is consumed slowly.
• Give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
• Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.
Simply Put:
•Cool the body
•Give Fluids
•Minimize Shock
What you should know / do:
• Adjust to the environment
(Acclimatization)
• Stay indoors
• Stay on the lowest floor
• Public Buildings
• Eat well balanced, light, and
regular meals
• Exercise regularly and keep
in shape.
•Drink
plenty
of water
You should drink about
12 ounces of water per
hour throughout the day
and up to 4 cups per
hour under extreme
conditions of work and
heat.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages and caffeine
• Dress in loose fitting, lightweight, light colored
clothes
• Wear a straw hat with a wide brim
• Protect your skin
• Check on your co-workers, family, friends, and
neighbors
• Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles
• Avoid strenuous work or exercise during the
warmest part of the day
• Work in the shade, as much as possible.
• Check the weather report and respond to heat
advisories
Heat Illness can quickly turn for the
worse. If you suspect heat illness in
yourself or a co-worker, immediately
report to your supervisor or call
University Police at 911.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan
• Department Responsibilities
–
–
–
–
–
Identify employees exposed to outdoor heat.
Ensure employees are trained.
Retain copies of training records and send to EH&S.
Provide required equipment.
Comply with the procedures and ensure employees
comply.
– Ensure effective communication is maintained at all
times so that employees can contact a
supervisor/lead or emergency medical services.
• Training
– Supervisory and non-supervisory employees prior to
assignment
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Access to Drinking Water
– Ensure employees have access to cool potable drinking water
at no charge.
– Water shall be as close as practical, unless infeasible.
– Provide one quart per employee per hour for drinking for the
entire shift.
– The frequent drinking of water shall be encouraged
– Department must have procedures to replenish drinking water
as needed.
• Access to Shade for Employees
– Employees with Heat Illness
– Believing a preventative cool down period is needed
– Employees with symptoms shall receive first-aid and/or
emergency response
– Shade will be open to the air or provided with ventilation
– Preventative cool down periods will be at least 5 minutes,
employees must be monitored for symptoms, asked about
symptoms, encouraged to remain in the shade until symptoms
are gone
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Access to Shade Continued
– Shade shall accommodate all of the workers
– Shade must be located in a healthy location and in a
location where it’s use will not be discouraged.
– Shade must be available and set up at temperatures
above 80 o F and setup timely if requested regardless
of temperature.
• Employees can exercise their rights under heat Illness
without retaliation.
• Response to Symptoms of Heat Illness
– Police officers are trained in first aid and CPR.
– Know who in your area etc. is trained in first aid and/
or CPR.
– Follow the treatment listed in this presentation and/or
the Cal Poly Pomona Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention
Plan.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Response continued
– For Major Heat Illness (Heat Exhaustion or Heat
Stroke or symptoms such as decreased
consciousness staggering, vomiting, disorientation,
irrational or staggering) DIAL 911 from a campus
phone, 909-869-3070 from a Cell Phone, contact
Facilities Customer Service via radio and have them
DIAL 911 or contact Police Dispatch via radio. Give
them:
•
•
•
•
Your name
Location and clear directions to the location.
Telephone number
As much information as possible and if the victim is
conscious.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Response continued
– Remain with the victim until help arrives. Keep the
victim calm and comfortable.
– Do not attempt to render first aid unless you have
been trained to do so.
– Only move a seriously injured person if it is a lifethreatening situation.
– All employees exhibiting signs or symptoms will be
provided with first-aid and/or emergency medical
services
– Employees with signs or symptoms shall not be sent
home or left alone without being offered first-aid or
emergency medical services.
– Report all illnesses and injuries to your immediate
supervisor.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Transportation of Ill Individuals
– University Police will dispatch Medic 1 or an
ambulance to transport ill individuals.
• High-heat Procedures (>95°F):
– Prior to work shift, review high heat procedures,
reminder to drink water, and right to cool down
period.
– Employees must have a 10 minute cool down period
every 2 hours.
– Ensure effective communication so that employees
can contact a supervisor when necessary.
– Observe (see “Close Observation”) employees for
alertness and signs or symptoms of heat illness
directly, via radio/cell communication or
implementing a buddy system.
– Remind employees to drink water.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued
• Acclimatization
– Closely (see “Close Observation”) supervise new employees for
their first 14 days of employment in high heat ( > 95 o F).
– All employees shall be closely observed (see “Close Observation”)
during a Cal OSHA Heat Wave (predicted temperature of at least
80 o F and at least ten degrees higher than the average
temperature in the past five days)
– Close observation can be accomplished by any of the following
methods:
» Buddy System: employees to work in pairs within sight and
hearing of each other
» Visual observation by a supervisor, lead, or designee. No more
than 20 employees can be supervised by 1 person.
» Two way communication by radio, cell phone, etc. Employees
must be contacted every 15 minutes and verify that they are ok
(e.g. can count backwards from 10 to 1).
Test your knowledge
• What are factors that can lead to
heat illnesses?
• What are some symptoms of heat
exhaustion?
• What are some symptoms of heat
stroke?
Test your knowledge
continued
• What are some ways that you can
prevent heat illnesses?
• What should you do first if you
suspect someone is experiencing a
heat illness and they vomit?
Test your knowledge
continued
• How many employees can a lead
observe during the acclimatization period
or a Cal OSHA defined heat wave?
• Can Shade be set up near an out house
or trash collection area?
Test your knowledge
continued
• After Calling 911, what are some of the
First Aid steps you should take if you
suspect someone is suffering from Heat
Exhaustion?
• What is Cal OSHA’s definition of a heat
wave?
Test your knowledge
continued
• Can a lead or supervisor legally discipline
or chastise an employee for taking a 10
minute cool down rest period?
• How often are 10 minute rest periods
under high heat?