446319.1
HEAT ILLNESS
PREVENTION PLAN
Updated by the Town of Yountville as of MONTH DAY, YEAR. 1 Table of Contents
Table of Contents............................................................................................................................................................................................1 PURPOSE ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................2 DEFINITIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................................................2 RESPONSIBILITY...............................................................................................................................................................................................4 PROCEDURE .....................................................................................................................................................................................................4 A. Procedures for the Provision of Water.............................................................................................................................................4 B. Procedures for Access to Cool-Down Areas for Indoor Places of Employment....................................................................4 C. Procedures for Access to Shade for Outdoor Places of Employment ......................................................................................5 D. Procedures for Temperature Assessment for Indoor Places of Employment........................................................................6 E. Procedures for Monitoring the Weather for Outdoor Places of Employment.......................................................................6 F. Procedures for Control Measures for Indoor Places of Employment.......................................................................................6 HIGH HEAT PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................................................................................7 A. Procedures for Outdoor Places of Employment............................................................................................................................7 B. Procedures for Handling a Heat Wave for Outdoor Places of Employment..........................................................................8 ACCLIMATIZATION..........................................................................................................................................................................................8 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES..........................................................................................................................................................................9 A. Emergency Response............................................................................................................................................................................9 B. Handling a Sick Employee ...................................................................................................................................................................9 TRAINING........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 APPENDIX A ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2 PURPOSE
In 2006, the California Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board approved a permanent heat stress standard intended to protect outdoor employees from heat-related deaths and illnesses. In 2024, the Board approved a new standard that applies to indoor work areas. Both standards require employers to maintain a written plan and implement procedures that include employee training on the prevention of heat illness, identifying and responding to symptoms of heat illness, providing adequate amounts of water, allowing time to rest, granting access to adequate shade or cooling, and providing emergency medical services as needed.
Employees who work in situations or areas where environmental risk factors for heat illness are present should take adequate precautions to protect themselves. Accordingly, the Town of Yountville will take steps to control, to the extent possible, the risk factors that can lead to heat illness and develop employee and supervisor awareness of heat illness prevention and response. All employees at risk from heat illness are expected to comply with the procedures in this plan and in the Injury and Illness Prevention Program. This plan is based on the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Sections 3395 and 3396.
Exemptions:
• This plan does not apply to places of employment where employees are teleworking from a location of the employee's choice that is not under the control of the Town of Yountville. • This plan does not apply to incidental heat exposures where an employee is exposed to temperatures at or above 82 degrees Fahrenheit and below 95 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 15 minutes in any 60-minute period. NOTE: This exemption does not apply to vehicles without effective and functioning air conditioning. • This plan does not apply to indoor work areas where the temperature is less than 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
• This plan does not apply to work areas when employees are not present. • This plan does not apply to emergency operations directly involved in the protection of life or property.
DEFINITIONS
• Acclimatization: Temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat that occurs gradually when a person is exposed. Acclimatization peaks in most people within 4 to 14 days of regular work for about two hours per day in the heat.
• Clothing that restricts heat removal: Full-body clothing covering the arms, legs, and torso that is any of the following: (A) Waterproof; (B) Designed to protect the wearer from a chemical, biological, physical, radiological, or fire hazard; or (C) Designed to protect the wearer or the work process from contamination. • Cool-down area: An indoor or outdoor area that is blocked from direct sunlight and shielded from other high radiant heat sources to the extent feasible and is either open to the air or provided with ventilation or cooling. • Environmental risk factors for heat illness: Working conditions that create the possibility that heat illness could occur, including air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat from the sun and other sources, conductive heat sources such as the ground, air movement, workload severity and duration, protective clothing, and personnel protective equipment worn by employees.
• Globe temperature: The temperature measured by a globe thermometer, which consists of a thermometer sensor in the center of a six-inch diameter hollow copper sphere painted on the outside with a matte black finish, or equivalent. The globe thermometer may not be shielded from direct exposure to radiant heat while the globe temperature is being measured.
• Heat illness: A serious medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat load.
This may include heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke. o Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms that usually occur in the legs (hamstrings) and abdomen. Heat cramps are treatable and are the least severe form of heat-related illness. o Heat exhaustion: An early indicator that the body’s cooling system is becoming overwhelmed. Signs of heat exhaustion include:
▪ Cool, moist, pale, ashen, or flushed skin.
▪ Headache, nausea, or dizziness.
▪ Weakness or exhaustion.
▪ Heavy sweating (a capstone sign).
3 o Heat syncope: A fainting (syncope) episode or dizziness that usually occurs when standing for too long or suddenly standing up after sitting or lying. Signs of heat syncope include:
▪ Fainting (short duration).
▪ Dizziness.
▪ Light-headedness from standing too long or suddenly rising from a sitting or lying position. o Heat stroke: A profound medical emergency, heat stroke occurs when the body’s systems are overwhelmed by heat and cease functioning. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate, professional emergency medical intervention. Signs of heat stroke include:
▪ Red, hot, and/or dry skin.
▪ Changes in the level of consciousness.
▪ Vomiting.
• Heat index: A measure of heat stress developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) for outdoor environments that takes into account the dry bulb temperature and the relative humidity. For purposes of this plan, heat index refers to conditions in indoor work areas. Radiant heat is not included in the heat index. The required NWS heat index chart (2019) is in Appendix A at the end of this document. • Heat wave: For purposes of this plan, any day in which the predicted high outdoor temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the average high daily outdoor temperature for the preceding five days is considered a heat wave. • High radiant heat area: A work area where the globe temperature is at least five degrees Fahrenheit greater than the temperature (indoor).
• High radiant heat source: Any object, surface, or other source of radiant heat that, if not shielded, would raise the globe temperature of the cool-down area five degrees Fahrenheit or greater than the dry bulb temperature (indoor) of the cool-down area.
• Indoor: Refers to a space that is under a ceiling or overhead covering that restricts airflow and is enclosed along its entire perimeter by walls, doors, windows, dividers, or other physical barriers that restrict airflow, whether open or closed. All work areas that are not indoors are considered outdoors. • Personal risk factors for heat illness: Factors such as an individual’s age, degree of acclimatization, health, water consumption, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and use of prescription medications that affect the body’s water retention or other physiological responses to heat. • Preventative cool-down rest: A rest that is taken in a cool-down area to prevent overheating. • Preventative recovery period: A period of time to recover from exposure to heat in order to prevent developing heat illness.
• Shade: Blockage of direct sunlight. Canopies, umbrellas, and other temporary structures or devices may be used to provide shade. Shade is not adequate when the heat in the area of shade defeats the purpose of shade, which is to allow the body to cool, or if a secondary shadow can be cast under the shade structure. For example, a car sitting in the sun does not provide acceptable shade to a person inside it unless the air conditioning system is operating and effective at reducing the temperature. Shade may be provided by any natural or artificial means that does not expose employees to unsafe or unhealthy conditions and that does not deter or discourage access or use.
• Supervisor: Any employee who exercises supervisory functions (e.g., foreman, lead, manager, etc.) and is both capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them. • Temperature (Indoor): The dry bulb temperature in degrees Fahrenheit obtainable by using a thermometer freely exposed to the air without considering humidity or radiant heat, to measure the temperature in the immediate area where employees are located.
• Temperature (Outdoor): The dry bulb temperature in degrees Fahrenheit obtainable by using a thermometer to measure the outdoor temperature in an area where there is no shade. While the temperature measurement must be taken in an area with full sunlight, the bulb or sensor of the thermometer should be shielded while taking the measurement, e.g., with the hand or some other object, from direct contact by sunlight. 4 RESPONSIBILITY
All managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing and maintaining the Heat Illness Prevention Plan in their assigned work areas and ensuring employees receive answers to questions about the procedures in a language they understand.
All employees are responsible for using safe work practices, including following all directives, policies, and procedures, and helping to maintain a safe work environment.
This plan is maintained at each worksite and is available to all employees and their representatives in the following manner:
• On the Town of Yountville website (available 24/7): Visit www.townofyountville.com/545/Documents and click on the Heat Illness Prevention Plan (PDF) hyperlink. This allows an employee unobstructed access to review, print, and email the current version of the Program. • In person: Whenever an employee or designated representative, as defined in CCR tit. 8, § 3203, requests a copy of the Program, we will provide the requester a printed copy of the Program within five (5) business days of the request. One printed copy of the Program will be provided free of charge. If the employee or designated representative requests additional copies of the Program within one (1) year of the previous request and the Program has not been updated with new information since the prior copy was provided, we may charge reasonable, non-discriminatory reproduction costs for the additional copies.
PROCEDURE
A. Procedures for the Provision of Water
• Fresh, pure, suitably cool water will be provided to employees free of charge. o Staff at fixed indoor locations – water will be provided from water fountains, water dispensers, and/or water bottles.
o Staff at outdoor spaces – water will be provided from water dispensers (including water coolers) and water bottles.
o Where drinking water is not plumbed or otherwise continuously supplied, it will be provided in sufficient quantity at the beginning of the work shift, or replenished during the shift as needed, to provide one quart per employee per hour for drinking for the entire shift. • Supervisors will ensure that the water is fresh, pure, and suitably cool. Supervisors will visually examine the water at the start of each shift and throughout the day as needed for purity. They will also pour a small sample of water on their skin to ensure that the water is suitably cool. During hot weather or high indoor heat working conditions, the water will be cooler than the ambient temperature but not so cool as to cause discomfort. • The water will be located in the cool-down areas and as close as possible to the areas where employees are located outdoors.
• Employees will be reminded and encouraged to frequently consume small quantities (~8 ounces every 15 minutes) of water throughout their shifts. Supervisors will ensure these reminders are provided to employees. • All water containers will be kept in a sanitary condition. Water from non-approved or non-tested water sources (e.g., untested wells) is not acceptable. If hoses or connections are used, they must be approved for potable drinking water systems, as shown on the manufacturer’s label. • For outdoor work locations in which the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit or during a heat wave, pre-shift meetings will be conducted before the commencement of work to both encourage employees to drink plenty of water and remind them of their right to take cool-down rests when necessary. Supervisors will allow for additional water breaks on such high-heat days, as needed. Additionally, Supervisors will lead by example and remind employees throughout the work shift to drink water.
B. Procedures for Access to Cool-Down Areas for Indoor Places of Employment
• Cool-down area(s) will be located as close as practicable to work areas. The temperature in the indoor cooldown areas will be maintained at less than 82 degrees Fahrenheit through either air conditioning, evaporative coolers, and/or fans, unless it is infeasible. If temperature maintenance at less than 82 degrees Fahrenheit is 5 infeasible, the supervisor will inform the Department Head and document in writing the specific reasons why compliance is infeasible, including the date and time of the determination, and retain such documentation for at least one year.
• Cool-down areas(s) will be blocked from direct sunlight and shielded from other high radiant heat sources to the extent feasible and is either open to the air or provided with ventilation or cooling. A cool-down area does not include a location where:
o Environmental risk factors defeat the purpose of allowing the body to cool; or o Employees are exposed to unsafe or unhealthy conditions; or o Employees are deterred or discouraged from accessing or using the cool-down area. • The cool-down area(s) will be available at the site to accommodate all employees who are on a break at any point in time and will be large enough to allow all employees on break sufficient space to sit in a fully normal posture without engaging in physical contact with each other. • Employees will be informed of the location of the cool-down area(s) and will be encouraged and allowed to take cool-down breaks in the cool-down area(s) whenever they feel they need a break. Employees who take a preventative cool-down rest break will be monitored and asked if they are experiencing symptoms of heat illness. In no case will the employee be ordered back to work until signs or symptoms of heat illness have abated (see the section on Emergency Response for additional information). If an employee exhibits signs or symptoms of heat illness while on a preventative cool-down rest, appropriate first aid or emergency response will be administered. Preventative cool-down rest periods will be at least 5 minutes, in addition to the time needed to access the cool-down area.
C. Procedures for Access to Shade for Outdoor Places of Employment • Shade will be as close as practicable to employees when the outdoor temperature equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, access to shade will be provided promptly when requested by an employee. Sources of shade may include but are not limited to, trees, pop-up canopies, umbrellas, vehicles, awnings, and pergolas.
o Note: The interior of a vehicle will not be used to provide shade unless the vehicle has a working air conditioner and is cooled down before being utilized.
• Sufficient shade will be made available at the site to accommodate all employees who are on a break at any point in time. During meal periods, there will be enough shade for all employees who choose to remain in the general area of work or in areas designated for recovery and rest periods. To ensure that the provided shade will be sufficient, we will rotate employees in and out of breaks – including meal periods and recovery and rest periods – if the number of employees in the crew exceeds the number that can fit comfortably under the shade. • Employees will be informed of the location of the shade and will be encouraged to take five-minute cool-down rests in the shade, which will remain accessible and permitted at all times. An employee who takes a preventative cool-down rest break will be monitored, encouraged to remain in the shade, and asked if they are experiencing symptoms of heat illness. In no case will the employee be ordered back to work until signs and symptoms of heat illness have abated, and in no event will they be ordered to return to work until at least five minutes have elapsed after symptom(s) have abated. See the section on Emergency Response for additional information.
• As crews move, shade structures will be relocated to be placed as close as practicable to the employees so that access to shade is provided at all times. The onsite supervisor is responsible for moving the shade structures to ensure swiftness in making such adjustments as well as adequate coverage. All employees on a recovery rest break or a meal period will have full access to shade so they can sit in a normal posture without having to be in physical contact with each other.
• Before trees or other vegetation are used to provide shade (such as in orchards), the thickness and shape of the shaded area will be evaluated to ensure that sufficient shadow is cast to protect employees throughout the workday as the area of shading moves.
• In situations where it is not safe or feasible to provide access to shade (e.g., during high winds), the unsafe or unfeasible conditions will be documented, and alternative procedures will be used to provide access to shade that provides equivalent protection. Alternative procedures may include the use of vehicles or the interior of buildings. Cooling measures other than shade (e.g., use of misting machines) may be provided in lieu of shade if these measures are at least as effective as shade in allowing employees to cool. 6 D. Procedures for Temperature Assessment for Indoor Places of Employment
• This section shall apply when an indoor work area is subject to at least one of the following conditions:
o The temperature equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present; or o The heat index equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present; or o Employees wear clothing that restricts heat removal and the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit; or
o Employees work in a high radiant heat area and the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
• A thermometer will be used throughout the workplace to monitor temperature and heat index. Monitoring instruments will be maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and the instruments used to measure the heat index shall be based on the heat index chart in Appendix A. The locations for the temperature measurements will be taken in areas of the indoor environment that best represent the space as a whole (e.g., the middle of the shop or warehouse).
• The temperature and heat index will be measured and recorded by the on-site supervisor. Employees will be actively involved in the planning, conducting, and recording of measurements of temperature or heat index. • Records of the temperature or heat index measurements, whichever value is greater, will be retained for one year or until the next measurements are taken, whichever is later. Measurements will be made available at the Public Works Corporation Yard to employees or designated representatives upon request. The records will include the date, time, and specific location of all measurements. • Initial temperature and heat index measurements shall be taken when it is reasonable to suspect that the conditions above are present where employees primarily work and at times when employee exposures are expected to be the greatest.
• Measurements will be taken again when they are reasonably expected to exceed previous measurements by 10 or more degrees Fahrenheit in areas where employees work and at times when employee exposures are expected to be the greatest.
• Employees will be actively involved in identifying and evaluating other environmental risk factors for heat illness that may exist in the workplace. This includes examining such factors as employees' clothing that restricts heat removal, personal protective equipment, and work or tasks that are in high radiant heat areas.
E. Procedures for Monitoring the Weather for Outdoor Places of Employment
• Supervisors will be trained and instructed to check the extended weather forecast in advance with aid from internet sources (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/), the local National Weather Service phone number (831) 656- 1725, the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, the local Weather Channel TV Network, or some other reliable source.
The work schedule will be planned in advance and will take into consideration the likelihood of high temperatures or a heat wave. This type of advance planning should take place whenever the temperature is expected to reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
• Prior to each workday, the supervisor will monitor the weather at the worksite using the methods described above. This critical weather information will be taken into consideration to evaluate the risk level for heat illness and to determine when it will be necessary to make modifications to the work schedule (e.g., stopping work early, rescheduling the job, working at night or during the cooler hours of the day, increasing the number of water and rest breaks, etc.).
• The supervisor will use a thermometer, weather station, or weather mobile app at the job site and throughout the work shift to monitor for an increase in outdoor temperature and ensure that once the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, shade structures will be made available to employees. In addition, when the temperature reaches or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit, additional preventive measures, such as high-heat procedures, will be implemented. See the High-Heat Procedures section for additional information.
F. Procedures for Control Measures for Indoor Places of Employment Control measures will be implemented when either of the following occurs:
1. Indoor temperature/heat index reaches or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit 7 2. Indoor temperature reaches or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and employees are either:
a. Wearing clothing that restricts heat removal; or
b. Working in an area with high radiant heat.
• Feasible engineering controls will be implemented first to reduce the temperature and heat index below 87°F (or temperature below 82°F for those working in clothing that restricts heat removal or in high radiant heat areas). Administrative controls will be added if feasible engineering controls are not sufficient to comply with the standard. If both feasible engineering and administrative controls do not sufficiently decrease the temperature and minimize the risk of heat illness, then personal heat-protective equipment will be provided. • The following engineering controls will be implemented to lower the indoor temperature, heat index, or both to the lowest possible level. These controls help make the work environment cooler or create a barrier between the employee and the heat:
o Cooling fans or air conditioning
o Increased natural ventilation, such as open windows and doors when the outdoor temperature or heat index is lower than the indoor temperature and heat index o Reflective shields to block radiant heat
o Insulating/isolating heat sources from employees or isolating employees from heat sources o Cooled seats or benches
o Evaporative coolers
o Dehumidifiers
• The following administrative controls will be implemented where feasible engineering controls are not sufficient to reduce and maintain the temperature and heat index to below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present or the temperature to below 82 degrees Fahrenheit where employees wear clothing that restricts heat removal or work in high radiant heat areas. These controls are modified work practices that can reduce heat exposure by adjusting work procedures, practices, or schedules:
o Modify work schedules and activities to times of the day when the temperature is cooler or schedule shorter shifts, especially during heat waves. “Heat wave” refers to any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days. For newly hired employees and unacclimatized existing employees, gradually increase shift length over the first one to two weeks. o Require mandatory rest breaks in a cooler environment, such as a shady location or an air-conditioned building. The duration of the rest breaks should increase as heat stress rises. o Rotate job functions among employees to help minimize exertion and heat exposure. If employees must be in proximity to heat sources, mark such heat sources clearly so they are aware of the hazards. o Require employees to work in pairs or groups during extreme heat so they can monitor each other for signs of heat illness.
• The following personal heat-protective equipment will be provided if feasible engineering controls do not decrease the temperature enough, and administrative controls do not minimize the risk of heat illness. This personal heat-protective equipment consists of special cooling devices that can be worn to protect employees in hot environments:
o Water and/or air-cooled garments, cooling vests, jackets, and neck wraps (the cooling source can be reusable ice packs or cooled air connected to an external source) o Supplied air personal cooling systems
o Insulated suits
o Heat-reflective clothing
HIGH HEAT PROCEDURES
A. Procedures for Outdoor Places of Employment
High-heat procedures are additional preventive measures that this organization will follow when the temperature reaches or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit in outdoor places of employment. • Effective communication by voice, direct observation (applicable for work crews of 20 or fewer), mandatory buddy system, or other methods will be maintained to allow those at the work site to contact a supervisor when necessary. If the supervisor is unable to be near the employees to observe them or communicate with them, 8 then cell phones may be used for this purpose if reception in the area is reliable. • Frequent communication will be maintained with employees working by themselves or in smaller groups by cell phone to be on the lookout for possible symptoms of heat illness. The employee(s) will be contacted regularly and as frequently as possible throughout the day, since an employee in distress may not be able to summon help on their own.
• Effective communication and direct observation for alertness and signs and symptoms of heat illness will be conducted frequently. When the supervisor is not available, an alternate responsible person will be designated by the supervisor ahead of time, and the responsible person must be assigned to observe and look for signs and symptoms of heat illness. The lead worker will be the designated alternate responsible person. If a supervisor, designated responsible person, or any employee reports any signs or symptoms of heat illness in any employee, the supervisor or designated person will take immediate action commensurate with the severity of the illness (see Emergency Procedures).
• One or more employees on each worksite will be designated as authorized to call for emergency medical services. Other employees may call for emergency services when no designated employee is available. • Employees will be reminded throughout the work shift to drink plenty of water and take preventative cool-down rest breaks when needed. The supervisor will remind employees to drink water regularly. • Meetings will be held before the commencement of each shift to review the high-heat procedures, encourage employees to drink plenty of water, and remind employees of their right to take cool-down restswhen necessary. • When the temperature reaches or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit, employees will be provided one 10-minute preventative cool-down rest period every two hours. During the first eight hours of a shift, the cool-down periods may be provided at the same time as the scheduled rest periods. • All employees will be required to take the cool-down rest periods; merely offering the opportunity for a break will not be sufficient to maintain compliance with this plan.
B. Procedures for Handling a Heat Wave for Outdoor Places of Employment “Heat wave” refers to any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days. • During a heat wave, all employees will be closely observed by a supervisor or designee, in accordance with highheat procedures. • During a heat wave or heat spike, the workday may be cut short or rescheduled (e.g., conducted at night or during cooler hours).
• During a heat wave or heat spike and before starting work, “tailgate” or “pre-shift” meetings will be held to review the Heat Illness Prevention Plan, the weather forecast, and emergency response procedures. Additionally, if schedule modifications are not possible, employees will be provided with an increased number of water and rest breaks and observed closely for signs and symptoms of heat illness. • Each employee will be assigned a “buddy” to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of heat illness and to ensure that emergency procedures are initiated when someone displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness.
ACCLIMATIZATION
Acclimatization is the gradual, temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat after repeated exposure. The body needs time to adapt when temperatures rise suddenly; therefore, employees may be at heightened risk for heat illness if they overexert themselves when a heat wave or heat spike strikes or if they are newly exposed to heat to which the body hasn’t yet adjusted. Inadequate acclimatization can be significantly more perilous in conditions of high heat and physical stress. The following are additional protective procedures that will be implemented when conditions result in sudden exposure to heat that employees are not accustomed to:
• The weather will be monitored daily. The supervisor/designee will be on the lookout for heat waves, heat spikes, or temperatures to which employees haven’t been exposed for several weeks or longer. • New employees and those who have been newly assigned to a high-heat area will be closely observed by the supervisor or designee for the first 14 days. For indoor work areas, this 14-day observation period applies when the temperature or heat index reaches or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the temperature or heat index reaches or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit, when an employee wears clothing that restricts heat removal or when an employee works in a high radiant heat area.
9 • The intensity of the work will be lessened during a two-week break-in period by using procedures such as scheduling slower-paced, less physically demanding work during the hot parts of the day, with the heaviest work activities scheduled during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or evening). Steps taken to lessen the intensity of the workload for new employees will be documented. • Employees and supervisors will be trained in the importance of acclimatization, how it is developed, and how these procedures address it.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
A. Emergency Response
• The following details the effective means by which this organization will ensure employees receive appropriate emergency services when needed:
o For outdoor places of employment, employees and supervisors assigned to a particular worksite will be provided a site map, address, or the names of the nearest crossroads for clear and precise directions to the worksite (e.g., street or road names, distinguishing features, and distances to major roads) to avoid potential delays in receiving emergency medical services. o For indoor places of employment, employees and supervisors will be provided a map or street address to provide clear and precise directions to the worksite (e.g., street or road names, distinguishing features, and distances to major roads) to avoid potential delays in emergency medical services. o Supervisors will also designate employees to physically travel to the nearest road or highway where emergency responders can be signaled. If daylight is diminished, the designated employee(s) shall be provided reflective vests or flashlights to direct emergency personnel to the sick employee’s location, which may not be visible from the road or highway.
o If necessary, employees will be transported to a place where they can be reached by an emergency medical provider.
• Effective communication will be ensured by voice, direct observation, a mandatory buddy system, or electronic means such as a cell phone if reception in the area is reliable, and will be maintained so that employees can contact a supervisor when necessary.
• To ensure that emergency medical services can be called, all supervisors will have access to or carry communication devices such as a cell phone or landline. These communication devices will be checked prior to each shift to ensure that they are functional.
• When an employee shows signs or symptoms of severe heat illness, emergency medical services will be called, and steps will be immediately taken to keep the stricken employee cool and comfortable to prevent the progression to a more serious illness. Under no circumstances will the affected employee be left unattended. • During a heat wave, heat spike, or hot temperatures, employees will be reminded and encouraged to immediately report to a supervisor any signs or symptoms of heat illness they observe or experience. • Employees and supervisors will be trained in these written procedures for emergency response.
B. Handling a Sick Employee
• When an employee displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness, a trained supervisor will evaluate the sick employee and determine whether resting in the nearby shade or cool-down area and drinking cool water will suffice to alleviate symptoms or if emergency service providers are required. A sick employee will not be left alone in the nearby shade or cool-down area, as their condition could take a turn for the worse. • When an employee displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness and no trained first aid employee or supervisor is available at the site, emergency service providers will be immediately contacted by the designated alternate.
• Emergency service providers will be contacted immediately if an employee displays signs or symptoms of severe heat illness (e.g., decreased level of consciousness, staggering, vomiting, disorientation, irrational behavior, incoherent speech, convulsions, red and hot face, etc.), appears sickly, or whose symptoms are not alleviated after drinking cool water and resting in the shade. While the ambulance is en route, first aid will be administered to cool the employee by such means as placing the employee in the shade, removing excess layers of clothing, placing ice packs in the armpits and groin area, or fanning the victim to provide cool airflow. A sick employee should not be sent home – even if they start to feel better – as their condition could worsen, and they may die 10 before reaching a hospital.
• If an employee displays signs or symptoms of severe heat illness (e.g., decreased level of consciousness, staggering, vomiting, disorientation, irrational behavior, incoherent speech, convulsions, red and hot face), emergency service providers will be contacted, the signs and symptoms of the victim will be communicated to them, and an ambulance will be requested.
TRAINING
Effective training in the following topics will be provided to each supervisory and non-supervisory employee before the employee begins work that is reasonably anticipated to result in exposure to the risk of heat illness. Training records will be maintained and will include the date(s) of the training, who performed the training, who attended the training, and the subject(s) covered. Training records will be maintained and retained as outlined in the Town of Yountville’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
• It is the Town of Yountville’s responsibility to ensure supervisors and employees are trained on this plan as to the provision of water, access to cool-down areas or shade, preventative cool-down rests, and first aid, as well as each employee’s ability to exercise their rights under this plan without retaliation. • Supervisors will be trained prior to assuming supervisory responsibilities over other employees. Training will include implementation of the written procedures outlined in this policy and the steps to follow when employees exhibit symptoms consistent with heat illness.
• Supervisors and employees will be trained on appropriate first aid and/or emergency response to different types of heat illness. This training will emphasize that heat illness may progress quickly from mild signs and symptoms to a serious, life-threatening illness.
• Supervisors will be trained on strategies to track the weather at the job site, specifically by monitoring predicted temperature or heat index highs and periodically using a thermometer. Supervisors will be instructed on the ways in which weather information may be used to modify work schedules, increase the number of water and rest breaks, or cease work early if necessary.
• All employees and supervisors: Training will cover all aspects of implementing this plan, including access to sufficient water, shade or cool-down area, rests, high-heat procedures, emergency response procedures, control measures, the importance of frequent consumption of water, different types of heat illness, common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and acclimatization procedures. Employees and supervisors will also be trained on environmental and personal risk factors of heat illness, as well as the burden of heat load on the body caused by exertion, clothing, and personal protective equipment. The importance of immediately reporting signs and symptoms of heat illness in themselves or in co-workers will be especially emphasized. • Employees will be trained on the steps for contacting emergency medical services, including ways to ensure nonEnglish speaking employees receive appropriate and swift aid, tips for providing clear and precise directions to the worksite, instructions for transporting ill employees to a location where they can be reached by emergency responders, and recognizing the importance of making visual contact with emergency responders at the nearest road or landmark to direct them to their worksite, if necessary. • When the temperature is expected to exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit, short “tailgate” or “pre-shift” meetings will be held to review the weather report, reinforce heat illness prevention with all employees, provide reminders to drink water frequently, inform employees of which specific shade or cool-down area(s) will be available, and remind employees to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of heat illness. • New employees will be assigned an experienced co-worker “buddy” to ensure sufficient understanding of the training and encourage employees to follow company procedures. 11 APPENDIX A
National Weather Services Heat Index Chart (2019)
RELATIVE HUMIDITY (%)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
TEMPERATURE (
oF)
80 77 78 78 79 79 79 80 80 80 81 81 82 82 83 84 84 85 86 86 87 81 78 79 79 79 80 80 80 81 81 82 82 83 84 85 86 86 87 88 90 91 82 79 79 80 80 80 80 81 81 82 83 84 84 85 86 88 89 90 91 93 95 83 79 80 80 81 81 81 82 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 93 95 97 99 84 80 81 81 81 82 82 83 83 84 85 86 88 89 90 92 94 96 98 100 103 85 81 81 82 82 82 83 84 84 85 86 88 89 91 93 95 97 99 102 104 107 86 81 82 83 83 83 84 85 85 87 88 89 91 93 95 97 100 102 105 108 112 87 82 83 83 84 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 93 95 98 100 103 106 109 113 116 88 83 84 84 85 85 86 87 88 89 91 93 95 98 100 103 106 110 113 117 121 89 84 84 85 85 86 87 88 89 91 93 95 97 100 103 106 110 113 117 122 90 84 85 86 86 87 88 89 91 92 95 97 100 103 106 109 113 117 122 127 91 85 86 87 87 88 89 90 92 94 97 99 102 105 109 113 117 122 126 132 92 86 87 88 88 89 90 92 94 96 99 101 105 108 112 116 121 126 131 93 87 88 89 89 90 92 93 95 98 101 104 107 111 116 120 125 130 136 94 87 89 90 90 91 93 95 97 100 103 106 110 114 119 124 129 135 141 95 88 89 91 91 93 94 96 99 102 105 109 113 118 123 128 134 140 96 89 90 92 93 94 96 98 101 104 108 112 116 121 126 132 138 145 97 90 91 93 94 95 97 100 103 106 110 114 119 125 130 136 143 150 98 91 92 94 95 97 99 102 105 109 113 117 123 128 134 141 148 99 92 93 95 96 98 101 104 107 111 115 120 126 132 138 145 153 100 93 94 96 97 100 102 106 109 114 118 124 129 136 143 150 158 101 93 95 97 99 101 104 108 112 116 121 127 133 140 147 155 102 94 96 98 100 103 106 110 114 119 124 130 137 144 152 160 103 95 97 99 101 104 108 112 116 122 127 134 141 148 157 165 104 96 98 100 103 106 110 114 119 124 131 137 145 153 161 105 97 99 102 104 108 112 116 121 127 134 141 149 157 166 106 98 100 103 106 109 114 119 124 130 137 145 153 162 172 107 99 101 104 107 111 116 121 127 134 141 149 157 167
108 100 102 105 109 113 118 123 130 137 144 153 162 172 - Shade temp. trigger
- Indoor Heat w/radiant heat or restrictive clothing trigger - Indoor Heat control trigger
- High Heat Procedures trigger
- Danger
- Extreme Danger