Be Prepared for Hot Weather

Temperatures will reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit this week. Once this occurs, shade must go up. The warm weather also serves as a reminder to make sure prevention programs are in place.

REGULATIONS

The program encompasses the five elements of heat illness prevention programs:

• Drinking of plenty of cool water: as close as practicable, never more than one-eighth of a mile away from workers;
• Ready access to shade: as close as practicable, never more than a quarter mile away from workers;
• Full and complete training: workers must be trained on heat illness symptoms, emergency procedures, and how to comply with regulations; and
• Written procedures: printed items identifying the essentials of the business’ heat illness prevention program; and
• High heat procedures: procedures must be implemented once temperature exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once temperature exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit, high-heat procedures should be implemented. CalOSHA calls for these procedures to be in writing, as they relate to the “high-heat” standard.  Procedures may include:

• Providing more frequent reminders to utilize water and shade;
• Observing employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness;
• Checking on employees more frequently, particularly if they are working out of sight. This can be accomplished visually, audibly, or through electronic communication, depending on the type of work being done;
• Changing the work schedule so that employees are not working during the hottest times of the day;
• Utilizing a buddy system, where employees work in pairs and monitor each other for early signs of heat illness;
• Making sure that water and shade are always kept as close as practicable to employees; and
• More closely observing new employees until they are acclimated.

Fines for noncompliance can begin in the thousands. It is strongly urged that individuals implement heat illness prevention procedures to prevent fines.

CA employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness:

Training: Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.

Water: Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1quart per hour and encourage them to do so.

Shade: Provide access to shade for at least 5 minutes of rest when an employee believes he or she needs a preventative recovery period. They should not wait until they feel sick to do so.

Planning: Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Informational handouts on the heat stress prevention regulations are available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/heatIllnessQA.html

Materials are available at http://www.99calor.org/english.html or by contacting the Fresno County Farm Bureau office at:
info@fcfb.org or 559-237-0263.