Heat-related illnesses plague employees responsible for working outdoors as temperatures heat-up. In California, where the weather forecasts reach over 100 degrees, the dangers become even greater and can lead to serious illness and even death. That puts employers in a position to ensure their workers have the proper protections and procedures in place to work in the heat safely to protect them and avoid fines.
Heat Protections
“Heat Illness” is described as, “a serious medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat load, and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope and heat stroke.”
To protect employees from heat illnesses, businesses in California are urged to develop a written plan that includes emergency response details as well as train employees on proper prevention methods and provide water and shade for workers during the outdoor workday when the weather is extremely hot.
Cal/OSHA Advisory
This week weather forecasts in southern California included temps above 100 degrees and Cal/OHSA issued a heat advisory to employers who have workers outdoors to remind them that they must follow California’s heat illness prevention regulation and allow for cool-down rests in the shade for anyone experiencing symptoms – especially for those with existing health problems or medical conditions.
“It is important for employers to check forecasts and monitor the temperatures to prepare for periods of high heat,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “That information should be used to closely observe workers for possible heat stress and modify their work schedules as needed.”
SoCal First Aid® is southern California’s first choice for first aid, disaster preparedness, and workplace safety. If you’re in need of first aid kits, supplies and refill needs or disaster and survival supplies, OSHA-compliant protective and workplace safety gear, and help with on-site training for CPR, AEDs, HAZWOPER, earthquake preparedness, disaster preparedness, respirator fit testing – we offer it all!
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