The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and some OSHA-approved state programs have standards that apply to heat in outdoor environments. Under Federal OSHA, heat illness is considered a recognized hazard under the general duty clause, and, under Cal/OSHA, for example, the specific standard is CCR Title 8 §3395. Heat illness is a serious medical condition that results from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load. Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat collapse, heat cramps, heat rash, and heat fatigue. To be compliant with heat illness prevention standards, employers must ensure their heat illness prevention program includes the following elements.
- Potable Water
- Shade
- Preventative Cool-Down Rest Periods
- High Heat Procedures
- Emergency Preparedness
- Acclimatization
- Training
It is recommended that employers develop and maintain a heat illness prevention program to address heat exposures. In California, employers are required to address any outdoor heat illness exposures by (1) establishing, implementing, and maintaining an effective written heat illness prevention program in English and in any language understood by the majority of the employees, (2) the program must be made available to employees at the worksite and to OSHA representatives upon request; and (3) the program must specifically include procedures for the provision of water, access to shade, high heat procedures, emergency response procedures, and acclimatization methods and procedures. In Washington, employers can address their outdoor heat illness exposures through a heat illness prevention program in their written accident prevention program (APP).
For assistance with complying with heat illness prevention requirements, implementing a heat illness prevention program, and/ or employee heat illness prevention awareness training, please contact your dedicated ADP Risk & Safety Consultant, or click now to learn more about heat illness prevention.