Heat Illness Prevention {insert school district name} Courtesy of Schools Insurance Authority

Primary Objective: Increase awareness and commitment to the safety and health of district employees Review the current heat illness prevention and regulatory requirements

Procedures or the provision of water and access to shade High heat procedures Emergency response procedures Acclimatization methods & procedures Training

Frequent drinking of water shall be encouraged Supervisor will provide repeated reminders to employees to drink often, with appropriate water breaks Fresh, pure and suitably cold water must be provided at all times, at no cost, to employee Located as close as practicable to the area where employees are working. You must have at least one quart per employee, per hour for the entire shift Replenishment containers must be reliable A designated person shall periodically check for the coolness and level of the water Provision For Water

Remind employees not to wait until they are thirsty before drinking water Take regular small sips through out the day Increase the number of water breaks during very hot weather Individual beverage containers can be used Use daily reminders to encourage employees to take regular water breaks

Shade shall be present when the outside temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit Shade must be open to the air or have ventilation/cooling provided Employees are encouraged to take a preventative cool-down rest and will be monitored for symptoms of heat Employees shall not go back to work until any sign/symptoms of heat illness have abated but not less than 5 minutes If any sign/symptoms of heat illness prevail the employer shall provide appropriate first aide or emergency response

Shade should accommodate the number of the employees on recovery or during rest periods Canopies, umbrellas or other portable devices should be provided if shade is not within yards of the work activity The shaded area must allow the employee to assume a comfortable posture without touching and not expose them to another hazard During days of anticipated heat, perform outside job duties early in the day when possible Employers must always be able to provide shade promptly if requested Employers should urge workers to take shade breaks if they feel too hot

 “High Heat” is defined as temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  Supervisors will:  Stay alert to weather conditions throughout the shift  Conduct pre-shift meetings to review high heat procedures  Monitor employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness  Adjust work schedules and tasks if needed  Remind employees to drink water  Closely supervise employees who need to acclimatize to working in high heat  Employees will:  Use a “buddy system” to keep an eye on their coworkers.  Drink small quantities of water more frequently  Follow directions for rest and cool down periods

 The Heat Illness Prevention Plan can be integrated into the IIPP  Keep procedures on site and available to all employees and Cal/OSHA representatives upon request

Acclimatization is a process by which the body adjusts to increased heat exposure. The body needs time to adapt when working in hotter environments. Take it slower when a heat wave strikes or when starting a job that newly exposes them to heat Supervisors or designees will closely observe employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness Be extra vigilant with new employees A supervisor will observe an employee who has been newly assigned to a high heat are for the first 14 days of their assignment

 Train your staff before working outdoors in heat  Know and follow your district’s procedures  Be able to recognize and respond to different types of heat illness  Know the environmental and personal risk factors for heat illness Training for supervisors & employees

1.Provide access to water and shade 2.Monitor the weather 3.Institute high heat procedures 4.Address acclimatization 5.Train all employees and supervisors 6.Provide clear and precise directions to worksite 7.Respond to heat illness, provide emergency services without delay

Most heat Illnesses are avoidable if the employee or supervisor are trained to take the right actions before, during and after working in indoor or outdoor hot conditions. Heat illness includes the following: Heat Cramps Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke

Muscle spasms usually in arms, legs or stomach Usually occur sometime after work, at night, or when relaxing Caused by performing hard physical labor during very hot temperatures when water is not replaced quickly enough Can be painful but usually does not cause permanent damage Heat Cramps Signs & Symptoms

If you suspect heat cramps do the following:  Rest briefly and cool down  Drink cool water or an electrolyte-containing sports drink like Gatorade  Practice gentle, range-of-motion stretching and gentle massage of the affected muscle group  Don't resume strenuous activity for several hours or longer after heat cramps go away  Contact your supervisor immediately  If symptoms become worse call 911!

Heat exhaustion is when the body’s internal temperature system is overworked. Signs and symptoms may include: Feeling faint or dizzy Nausea or headache Muscle weakness Heavy sweating Rapid, weak heartbeat Low blood pressure Cool, moist, pale skin Low-grade fever Heat cramps Extreme fatigue Heat Exhaustion

First Aid for Heat Exhaustion If you suspect heat exhaustion do the following: Move the person to a cool location Lay them down, loosen their clothing, apply cool wet cloths and fan them Have them drink cool water or electrolyte type drinks (no caffeine) Monitor the person carefully. Heat exhaustion can become heat stroke very quickly. Contact your supervisor immediately If symptoms become worse call 911!

Heatstroke is the most severe of the heat related illnesses, often resulting from exercise or heavy work in hot environments combined with inadequate fluid intake. Risk factors include: ◦ young children ◦ obese people ◦ people who don’t sweat ◦ dehydration ◦ certain medications ◦ cardiovascular disease

Heat stroke can be potentially life-threatening. Look for the following signs and symptoms:  May occur after heat cramps or heat exhaustion  High temperature of 104 degree Fahrenheit  Rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing  Elevated or lowered blood pressure  May be mistaken for a heart attack  Cessation of sweating  Irritability, confusion or unconsciousness  Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or fainting  Headache, nausea or vomiting

If you suspect heatstroke:  Move the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned space  Lay them down and loosen any restrictive clothing  Begin to lower their body temperature with cool water, cold packs and/or by fanning  Have the person drink cool water or other nonalcoholic and non- caffeinated beverages, if able  Do not give them aspirin or acetaminophen  Contact your supervisor immediately  Call 911 for medical attention!

Create a plan in advance on how you will do the following: Immediately respond to symptoms of heat illness Contact emergency medical services (be aware if translation is needed) Have a plan if cell phone use is limited or unreliable Provide clear and precise directions to the worksite Understand the chain of command on how you will know when these procedures have been invoked

 Condition yourself (acclimatization)  Take frequent breaks  Provide water and shade to all worksites  Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages  Drink plenty of liquids (hydration is a continuous process)  Wear lightweight, light colored clothing  Immediately report all unsafe conditions to your supervisor or district’s office

This is not meant to be either a substitute for or a legal interpretation of the occupational safety and health regulations. Users are cautioned to refer directly to Title 8 of the California code of Regulations and the Labor Code for detailed information regarding the regulation’s scope, specifications, and exceptions and for other requirements that may be applicable to their operations.