Heat Illness Prevention

Training

Developed and provided as courtesy by CSU, Stanislaus EHS&EM in Partnership with CSU Pomona EH&SRevised: 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 SitesTitle Web Link

Weather at Cal Poly Pomona (Onsite Weather Station)

https://www.cpp.edu/weather.shtml Data Retrieval: http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov/WSNReportCriteria.aspx

Weather Underground for Pomona http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/zmw:91768.1.99999?MR=1

Weather.com for Pomona http://www.weather.com/weather/5day/l/91768:4:US

Cal OSHA Heat Illness Prevention http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatillnessinfo.html

Federal OSHA Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html

Heat Safety Tool Smartphone App https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_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 Exhaustiontypically 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 life-threatening 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?