Page 263 - Safety Memo

13. If an employee exhibits or complains of any sign or 2. Take immediate action if any signs or symptoms of heat
symptom of heat illness, initiate first-aid procedures illness in any employee is observed or reported.
without delay.
3. Implement emergency response procedures if the signs or
14. Encourage the employee on cool-down rest to remain in symptoms indicate severe heat illness.
the shade for 5 or more minutes as needed.
4. Do not leave the employee exhibiting signs or symptoms
G. High-heat procedures: 3395(e) of heat illness alone or send them home without offering
onsite first aid and/or providing emergency medical
1. Implement high-heat procedures when the temperature services.
equals or exceeds 95˚F.
5. Contact emergency medical services and, if necessary,
2. Train all employees to recognize the signs and symptoms of transport employees to a place where they can be
heat illness and allow them to call for emergency medical reached by an emergency medical provider.
services when necessary.
6. In the event of an emergency, make sure that clear
3. Train all employees to stay in contact, observe each other, and precise directions to the worksite are provided to
and immediately report any signs/symptoms of heat illness. emergency responders.
4. Observe and monitor employees for alertness and signs or 7. If you have mobile crews, provide the emergency medical
symptoms of heat illness by implementing one or more of provider a map of the crew’s location or detailed direction.
the following:
I. Acclimatization methods and procedures 3395(g)
a. Supervisor or designee observation of 20 or fewer
employees 1. Make sure that all employees are observed by a
supervisor or designee during a heat wave.
b. Mandatory buddy system
Note: A “heat wave” means any day in which the
c. Regular communication with sole employee using radio
or cellular phone predicted high temperature for the day will be at least
80˚F and at least 10˚F higher than the average daily high
d. Other effective means of observation temperature in the preceding 5 days.
5. Contact employees regularly. 2. Have a supervisor or designee closely observe any
employee who has been newly assigned to a high heat
6. Designate one or more employees on each worksite as area for the first 14 days of the employment.
authorized to call for emergency medical services.
3. Be extra-vigilant in employee monitoring during heat
7. Remind employees throughout the work shift to drink waves and when new employees are on the job.
plenty of water.
J. Training of employees and supervisors 3395(h).
8. Provide close supervision to new employees as they may
have less or no acclimatization. 1. Training of employees and supervisors in your heat illness
prevention plans and procedures is extremely important
9. Conduct pre-shift meetings to review the high-heat for the prevention of heat illness at the workplace.
procedures and to remind employees to drink plenty of
water and take a cool-down rest when necessary. 2. Make sure that employees and supervisors are
trained before any anticipated exposure to the risk of
H. Emergency response procedures: 3395(f) heat illness.
Employers are required to implement effective emergency 3. Provide training when an employee is hired.
response procedures in the workplace. Requirements and
guidance include the following: 4. Provide refresher training as needed.
1. Maintain effective communication by voice, observation, or Note: Training that is given close in time to the hot
electronic means. season is more effective than training given during colder
seasons without follow-up refresher training.

84 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2019 85