Heat Stress & Prevention

When the temperature starts to rise so does the possibility of Heat Stress and Heat Illness and it’s important to keep a close eye on our peers who work both inside and outside in hot conditions. This month’s topic and training focuses on how to prevent Heat Illness.

With safety observations, preventative measures and cool down & water break reminders we can stop Heat Stress before it starts.

There are a few extra resources in our Training this month.

1) A video on Heat Stress and the Body’s Cooling Down System

2) An alternate power point training (if you would rather teach than watch the video) and an optional handout that can be given to employees to take home or keep at work.

A few Reminders from the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health: “Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes.

Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.” -NIOSH HEAT STRESS https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/default.html

California Code of Regulations; Title 8, Section 3395 Heat Illness Prevention