HIGH HEAT AWARENESS
BEST PRACTICES
July is Heat Awareness month, but as most of you know, California’s high heat runs through October. This write-up will review some best practices for working during high heat weather, whether you are indoors or outdoors.
Did you know that Palomar College has a Heat-Stress Control Procedure? To review the procedure, use the Heat-Stress Control link or visit Environmental Health & Safety’s website – Training & Procedures.
The following Tips, Do, and Don’t are referenced from the Cal/OSHA Training Institute Education Center website and Cal/OSHA Heat Illness: Prevent Heat Illness at Work Poster. Stay cool!
SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS/ILLNESS
- Abnormal thinking or behavior
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
PROTECTIVE TIPS
- Ease into work by building tolerance to heat – acclimatize over an initial one- to two-week period when possible.
- Pace tasks to avoid exhaustion by taking rest breaks in a shaded or cool area.
- Perform heavy tasks in cooler areas or at cooler times.
- Rotate personnel on hot jobs.
- Drink cool water – at least 1 cup every 15 – 20 minutes. Stay hydrated!
- Use a Buddy System for monitoring each other for heat illness.
- Apply sunblock and proper protective clothing for working in the sun (e.g. hat, light and loose-fitting clothes, if possible).
DO
- Move the worker to a cooler area and stay with the worker until help arrives.
- Apply cool wet cloths and remove unnecessary clothing.
- Fan the worker but STOP if goose bumps or shivers develop.
- Give water if the worker is conscious.
- Seek medical attention if there’s no improvement. Call 911!
- When in doubt, call 911.
DON’T
- Give any stimulant, alcohol or cigarettes.
- Apply ice directly to the skin.
- Allow the worker to become so cold that shivering starts.
- Leave the worker alone.