Cal/OSHA braces for another long, hot summer with the launch of its 2013 Heat Illness Prevention Program. The program, which kicked off April 4th, is designed to educate workers and employers on the dangers associated with heat exposure at outdoor worksites, with the goal of preventing heat illness throughout California.
"By following the basic preventive measures of providing adequate water, rest, shade, training and emergency procedures at every outdoor worksite, we can avoid needless tragedies and make sure workers go home healthy after a hard day's work," said Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess .
As California prepares for continued high heat, Cal/OSHA recommends employers take a few basic steps to protect workers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, and other outdoor industries:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
- Provide plenty of cool, fresh water and encourage employees to drink water frequently.
- Provide a shaded area for workers to take a cool down recovery break.
- Ensure that workers are given enough time to get used to the heat, or "acclimatize" to the heat. This is especially important for new workers, as well as for all workers during a sudden heat wave.
- Prepare an emergency heat illness prevention plan for the worksite, with training for supervisors and workers on the steps to take if a worker shows signs or symptoms of heat illness.
Additionally, Cal/OSHA regulations require special "High Heat" procedures for supervisors when temperatures reach 95 degrees, including:
- Observe workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness.
- Remind workers to drink water frequently.
- Provide close supervision of workers in the first 14 days of their employment (to ensure acclimatization).
- Have effective communication systems in place to be able to summon emergency assistance if necessary.
For more information on the Cal/OSHA 2013 Heat Illness Prevention Program visit http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh1.html