Page 262 - Safety Memo

3. High-heat procedures
1. When outdoor temperature is 80˚F or less:
4. Emergency response procedures a. Have shade available and provide shade or timely
5. Acclimatization methods and procedures access to shade upon request.
D. The plan shall be in writing in both English and the language b. It helps to have the shade erected if the weather is hot
understood by the majority of the employees. enough that the shade can help employees to cool off.
E. Procedures for providing sufficient water. 3395(c) 2. When outdoor temperature exceeds 80˚F:
1. Sufficient amounts of fresh, pure, and suitably cool a. Have one or more areas with shade at all times while
potable water shall be available at all times. employees are present. If no other shade is readily
2. Provide at least one quart per employee per hour for the available, erect shade structures immediately.
entire shift. b. It is a good idea to set up the shade in advance if
3. If individual water containers are provided, the containers at 5:00 p.m. the night before, the temperature is
must be clean, and a source of potable water must be predicted to exceed 80˚F.
readily available. 3. Perform frequent checks of the temperature at the
worksite because you need to set up the shade
4. Water from unpermitted/unlicensed or non-tested water
sources must not be used. immediately if the temperature exceeds 80˚F. It is a good
idea to check the temperature hourly.
Notes:
4. Place the shade structure as close as practicable to the
Permits for public water systems are granted by the areas where employees are working.
California State Water Resources Control Board 5. Shade must be either open to the air or provided with
(www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/
drinkingwater/Permits.shtml) ventilation or cooling, and must be easy for employees
to reach.
Licensing of bottled/vended water source is regulated 6. Permit employees to access shade at all times.
by the California Department of Public Health
(www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/Pages/fdbBVWfaq.aspx) 7. Provide enough shade to accommodate all employees:
5. If hoses or connections are used, they must meet the a. who are on recovery and rest period breaks, and
requirements for potable drinking water system as per
California Health and Safety Code section 114205– b. who choose to remain in areas designated for
114242. recovery and rest periods during their meal periods.
6. During hot weather, the water must be cooler than the 8. Erect additional structures on an as-needed basis.
ambient temperature. 9. Encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the
Note: Do not have water so cool as to cause discomfort. shade when they feel the need to do so to protect
themselves from overheating.
7. Place water as close as practicable to where employees
are working. For example, on a multi-story construction 10. Have water available in the rest area so that employees
site, place water in a safely accessible location on every are encouraged to drink more water.
floor where employees are working. 11. When it is not possible to erect a shade structure, you may
8. Remind workers to drink water often and not to wait until provide alternative cooling measures that offer equivalent
they are thirsty to drink. protection. Exceptions to 3395(d)(1) and (d)(2)
9. Provide water at no cost to the workers. 12. Monitor the employee on cool-down rest and ask if he or
she is experiencing any symptoms of heat illness,
F. Procedures for providing access to shade. 3395(d) including simple fatigue.
Provide shade to employees during breaks and preventative
cool down rest periods by taking following measures.

82 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 83