Download Available: Heat Stress Newsletter

Background:  Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces.

Law on Heat Stress:  In the state of California, regulations require employers to take affirmative steps for controlling Heat Stress.  Generally, for an automobile dealership, high risk of heat stress exists in locations as follows:

• Sales Staff: When a sales employee walks through the lot with a potential customer, the walk through the lot would be considered outdoors and hence, the standard would apply.  Encourage sales staff to wear hats when out in the sun.
• Parts Truck Drivers: As the parts truck driver works outside the dealership driving around town, the place of work would be considered outdoors as well.
• Shop Areas: Shops with marginal ventilation, metal roofs and/or hot engines idling may increase the ambient temperatures and heat stress can become an issue.

Other States:  In other states where a specific heat illness standard may not exist, the employer’s responsibility for addressing heat related illnesses does not cease.  General duty clause of OSHA requires that an employer provide a safe workplace and abate hazardous conditions.  In summary, training employees on Heat Stress makes sense.

Provide Water:  One salient requirement of the California Code is that the employer provide one quart of water per hour per employee during the work shift.  For parts truck drivers, provide a water cooler with ice at the start of the shift.  And last but not the least, water fountains or coolers are readily available at place of work.

Monthly Mailer:  In the monthly mailer to your dealership, a training memo on heat stress is enclosed.  Please review it with all the employees and seek acknowledgement.  As always, your comments are welcome.  Please send us an email to sam@cellyservices.com

Poster: STOPPING FOR WATER KEEPS YOU GOING poster from the OSHA website can be downloaded and posted on your employee notice board.  http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/osha_heat_poster_en.pdf

 

 

 

Training on Heat Stress

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TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN CALIFORNIA

Training requirement under the temporary standards is also listed in the memo and supervisors should pay special attention.

 

Employee Training is required for employees as follows:

1. The environmental and personal risk factors for heat illness.
2. The employer’s procedures for complying with the requirements of this standard.
3. The importance of frequent consumption of small quantities of water, up to 4 cups per hour under extreme conditions of work and heat.
4. The importance of acclimatization.
5. The different types of heat illness and the common signs and symptoms of heat illness.
6. The importance of immediately reporting to the employer, directly or through the employee’s supervisor, symptoms or signs of heat illness in themselves, or in co-workers.
7. The employer’s procedures for responding to symptoms of possible heat illness, including how emergency medical services will be provided should they become necessary
8. Procedures for contacting emergency medical services, and if necessary, for transporting employees to a point where they can be reached by an emergency medical service provider.
9. How to provide clear and precise directions to the work site.

Supervisor Training is as follows:

1. The information required to be provided by section above.
2. The procedures the supervisor is to follow to implement the applicable provisions in this section.
3. The procedures the supervisor is to follow when an employee exhibits symptoms consistent with possible heat illness, including emergency response procedures.

 

General Law in California (Illness & Injury Prevention Program-IIPP): Title 8 CCR 3203 requires an employer to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program. All IIPPs must include effective procedures for hazard identification, evaluation and control, hazard correction, investigation of employee injuries and illnesses, and communication with employees about health and safety matters.

 

Sam has been helping automobile dealers comply with EPA & OSHA regulations in California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii & New York since 1987. Sam received his MS (1986) in Chemical Engineering from School of Mines & Technology followed by a JD (1997) from Southwestern University. Sam is a Certified Safety Professional. Send your comments/questions to sam@cellyservices.com.

Authority Cited:  Title 8 CCR Section 3395& Info from CDC website