Page 93 - Safety Memo

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To help employers develop, implement, and monitor their heat • Fainting
illness prevention procedures, CAL/OSHA has provided a • Pulse fast and weak
number of materials on heat illness prevention including:
• Breathing fast and shallow
• Educational resources including Employer’s Training Kit
(www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html) • Clammy, pale, cool, and/or moist skin
• eTool (www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-006/index.htm) Note: Heat exhaustion can occur because of the high core
body temperature even when an individual is well hydrated.
• Employer’s Sample Procedures
(www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/ESPHIP.pdf) Heat stroke—General Symptoms:
• “Protect Yourself from Heat Illness” publication • No sweating, the body cannot release heat or cool down
(www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/ • Mental confusion, delirium, convulsions, dizziness
HeatIllnessEmployeeEngSpan.pdf)
• Hot and dry skin (e.g., red, bluish, or mottled)
Signs and symptoms of heat illness conditions may include:
• Muscles may twitch uncontrollably
Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)—General Symptoms:
• Pulse can be rapid and weak
• Can cover large parts of the body
• Throbbing headache, shallow breathing, seizures/fits
• Looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters
• Unconsciousness and coma
• Often on the neck, chest, groin, under the breasts, or in
elbow creases • Body temperature may range from 102–104 ˚F or higher
within 10–15 minutes
• Feels uncomfortable, can disrupt sleep and work
performance Note: A heat stroke victim may die within 30 to 60 minutes
unless treated properly, and survivors may have some degree
• Complicated by infections of permanent neurological impairment.
Heat Cramps—General Symptom: Requirements and guidance for heat illness prevention
• Painful muscle spasms in the stomach, arms, legs, and in the workplace:
other body parts may occur after work or at night A. All employers, having employees exposed in outdoor places
Fainting—General Symptoms: of employment, must have a written heat illness prevention
plan and implement effective procedures for the prevention of
• Sudden dizziness, light-headedness heat illness.
• Unconsciousness B. The plan must be employer specific and be available on site or
immediately available on the request of the employee or
Notes:
the Division.
» Provide first aid immediately
C. Heat illness prevention plan, at a minimum, must include: 3395(i)
» Never give liquids to an unconscious person
1. Procedures for providing sufficient water
Heat Exhaustion—General Symptoms: 2. Procedures for providing access to shade
• Heavy sweating, painful muscle cramps, extreme 3. High-heat procedures
weakness and/or fatigue
4. Emergency response procedures
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache
5. Acclimatization methods and procedures
• Body temperature normal or slightly high
74 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 75