1 Weather Extremes and Heat Illness Training

2 Employees must not work under dangerous weather conditions. However, if proper precautions are taken, and with your supervisors approval, you may work in weather that is part of the study design or is made safe with precautions and specialized equipment. The following slides list precautions, equipment and the law related to heat illness and other weather dangers. Weather Extremes

3 WEATHER PRECAUTION/EQUIPMENT NEEDED Heat Take precautions to avoid heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion; drink ample fluids, wear loose clothing, wear a hat, limit time working while wearing gear that does not breathe or when working in areas with poor ventilation. Avoid working during the hottest part of the day. Cold Dress appropriately for cold or rainy weather. If working in a remote location, bring blankets or sleeping bag in case you are unable to return by nightfall. Weather Extremes Chart from IIPP (Section 6.4)

4 WEATHER PRECAUTION/EQUIPMENT NEEDED Rain Advance preparation for stuck vehicles, such as carrying a cell phone and using a vehicle that is four-wheel drive or equipped with a winch is recommended. Listen to the radio for flooding alerts. High winds Employees should avoid driving in high winds and protect eyes and lungs from dust. Fog Avoid driving in dense fog. If zero visibility, pull well off the road, park, and turn lights off. Give advance warning to motorists when working along roadsides in foggy weather (discussed in 6.11 of IILP). Weather Extremes Chart from IIPP

5 WEATHER PRECAUTION/EQUIPMENT NEEDED Dust To protect eyes and lungs, employees are encouraged to wear eye protection such as goggles, and respiratory protection with a filtering face piece or other appropriate or required respiratory protection when working in dusty conditions. (See RPP) Lightning Employees should not work in dangerous lightning conditions. Weather Extremes Chart from IIPP

6 Weather Extremes: Clothing Disposable clothing, rubber boots, and gloves retain heat and moisture and can contribute to heat-related illnesses. Make sure that the DPR rules and the law is followed for heat illness prevention. Disposable clothing, rubber boots, and gloves retain heat and moisture and can contribute to heat-related illnesses. Make sure that the DPR rules and the law is followed for heat illness prevention. Conversely, the same clothing can provide protection from cold weather. Conversely, the same clothing can provide protection from cold weather. When wearing disposable coveralls, the general rule of thumb is to have at least one layer of clothing on to provide some protection if your coveralls tear or need to be changed in the field. When wearing disposable coveralls, the general rule of thumb is to have at least one layer of clothing on to provide some protection if your coveralls tear or need to be changed in the field.

7 Heat Illness Education

8 Heat Stroke-The most serious health problem for workers in hot environments is caused by the failure of the body's ability to regulate its core temperature. Heat Exhaustion-Results from loss of fluid through sweating when a worker has failed to drink enough fluids, salt or both. Heat Rash- or prickly heat may happen when sweat is not easily removed from skin by evaporation. Heat Cramps- painful Spasms of muscles. Fainting or Heat syncope- may be caused by a worker who is not acclimated to a hot environment. Heat Illness (HI) Types

9 Warning signs of Heat Exhaustion Heavy sweating Heavy sweating Paleness Paleness Muscle cramps, Weakness Muscle cramps, Weakness Dizziness and or Headache Dizziness and or Headache Nausea or vomiting Nausea or vomiting Fainting Fainting What to do Cool victim as for heat stroke, to avoid progression to heat stroke. Cool victim as for heat stroke, to avoid progression to heat stroke. Heat Exhaustion Signs and Action

10 Heat Stroke Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the bodys temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher, within minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

11 Warning signs of heat stroke vary but may include: Extremely high body temp (above 103°F orally) Extremely high body temp (above 103°F orally) Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating) Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating) Rapid, strong pulse Rapid, strong pulse Throbbing headache Throbbing headache Dizziness Dizziness Nausea Nausea Confusion Confusion Unconsciousness Unconsciousness Heat Stroke Signs

12 What to do If you see the signs of heat stroke, you are dealing with a life threatening emergency. Call for assistance and begin to cool the victim: If you see the signs of heat stroke, you are dealing with a life threatening emergency. Call for assistance and begin to cool the victim: Get the person in the shade Get the person in the shade Cool the person rapidly using what ever methods you can (wrap wet towel, use sample ice etc.) Cool the person rapidly using what ever methods you can (wrap wet towel, use sample ice etc.) Monitor body temperature Monitor body temperature Drink fluid, non-alcohol, non-caffeine Drink fluid, non-alcohol, non-caffeine Get medical help ASAP, call 911 Get medical help ASAP, call 911 Heat Stroke Action

13 Note: Not an official DPR recommended way to cool off (probably works though).

14 Heat Illness and the Law According to the Heat Illness Prevention Standard in Title 8, CCR Section 3395: Employers must provide HI training. Employers must provide HI training. Provide enough fresh water, at least 1 quart per hour per employee and employers must encourage consumption of fluids. Provide enough fresh water, at least 1 quart per hour per employee and employers must encourage consumption of fluids. Employers must provide access to shade for at least 5 minutes of rest if employee needs a recovery period. Employers must provide access to shade for at least 5 minutes of rest if employee needs a recovery period. Employer must develop and implement written procedures for HI prevention and training. Employer must develop and implement written procedures for HI prevention and training.

15Responsibility All staff are responsible for their own heat stress safety, and to plan accordingly. All staff are responsible for their own heat stress safety, and to plan accordingly. All staff must be alert for coworkers who may be suffering from heat stress and to take preventive action. All staff must be alert for coworkers who may be suffering from heat stress and to take preventive action. DPR is responsible to train employees and implement a written program. During hot weather DPR needs to provide water and shade. DPR is responsible to train employees and implement a written program. During hot weather DPR needs to provide water and shade.

16 Study Types Labor intensive studies include activities such as digging, brisk walking, heavy lifting or require exertion. Labor intensive studies include activities such as digging, brisk walking, heavy lifting or require exertion. Non-labor intensive studies include activities like well sampling, and some air and surface water sampling that generally allows a person to work only a short period away from an air conditioned vehicle. Non-labor intensive studies include activities like well sampling, and some air and surface water sampling that generally allows a person to work only a short period away from an air conditioned vehicle.

17 Water for labor intensive studies in hot weather Bring large water container like the Igloos, electrolyte mix is optional. Bring large water container like the Igloos, electrolyte mix is optional. Need to have 1 quart per hour/employee. Bring at least 2 quarts per employee at start of shift. Need to have 1 quart per hour/employee. Bring at least 2 quarts per employee at start of shift. When drinking water levels in container drop below 50%, the water should be replenished. Water level should not fall below the amount needed for the rest of the workday. When drinking water levels in container drop below 50%, the water should be replenished. Water level should not fall below the amount needed for the rest of the workday. Disposable/single use cups are best when many workers are involved. Disposable/single use cups are best when many workers are involved.

18 Water for labor intensive studies in hot weather Water containers should be as close as possible to workers. Water containers should be as close as possible to workers. Employees should report lack of water or dirty water. Employees should report lack of water or dirty water. Sups/project leaders are to encourage fluid consumption and to conduct a tailgate meeting to remind workers of the importance of drinking fluids. Sups/project leaders are to encourage fluid consumption and to conduct a tailgate meeting to remind workers of the importance of drinking fluids. Schedule summer field activities early to avoid the hottest part of the day Schedule summer field activities early to avoid the hottest part of the day

19 What is Shade? According to the standard it is the blockage of sunlight! According to the standard it is the blockage of sunlight! Shade is sufficient when objects do not cast a shadow in the shaded area. Shade is sufficient when objects do not cast a shadow in the shaded area. And of course it should be cooler than in the sun or it is not effective. Sometimes reflective heat (from cars etc.) can make the shade just as hot. And of course it should be cooler than in the sun or it is not effective. Sometimes reflective heat (from cars etc.) can make the shade just as hot.

20 Shade for labor intensive studies in hot weather The supervisor or Project Lead will set up an adequate number of umbrellas, canopies or other portable shade devices if it is hot and there is no office building nearby. The supervisor or Project Lead will set up an adequate number of umbrellas, canopies or other portable shade devices if it is hot and there is no office building nearby. Sup/lead person needs to ensure that employees have access to a recovery period to prevent HI. Sup/lead person needs to ensure that employees have access to a recovery period to prevent HI. Sup/lead should conduct a tailgate meeting to discuss importance of breaks, shade and other cooling measures. Sup/lead should conduct a tailgate meeting to discuss importance of breaks, shade and other cooling measures. Employees should take responsibility to wear cooling vests, hats and other cooling clothing. Employees should take responsibility to wear cooling vests, hats and other cooling clothing.

21 Water and Shade for non-labor- intensive studies in hot weather Employees should bring their own water or drinks. Employees should bring their own water or drinks. Employees should take breaks or road stops as necessary. Employees should take breaks or road stops as necessary. Employees should watch for danger signs in themselves and others, and take HI prevention action if necessary. Employees should watch for danger signs in themselves and others, and take HI prevention action if necessary. Choose to work in shade if possible, sit in air conditioned vehicle, bring cooling vests, hats etc. Choose to work in shade if possible, sit in air conditioned vehicle, bring cooling vests, hats etc. Schedule sampling early in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day. Schedule sampling early in the day to avoid the hottest part of the day.

22 A few more prevention measures Pace yourself -before you get uncomfortable from the heat. Pace yourself -before you get uncomfortable from the heat. Acclimate yourself by working less hours in the heat the first few days of an outdoor study. Acclimate yourself by working less hours in the heat the first few days of an outdoor study. Wear light-weight, airy clothing that breathes well. Wear light-weight, airy clothing that breathes well.

23Training Training will be conducted yearly in April or early May, or for new employees that begin work in April through September. Training will be conducted yearly in April or early May, or for new employees that begin work in April through September. Tailgate training will be conducted prior to the start of labor intensive work in hot conditions, and then daily as necessary. Tailgate training will be conducted prior to the start of labor intensive work in hot conditions, and then daily as necessary. Supervisors will make sure that the training is conducted. Supervisors will make sure that the training is conducted.

24 Written Procedures Written procedures will be updated as necessary by any change in the law or new information is learned. Written procedures will be updated as necessary by any change in the law or new information is learned. All field employees will read the written procedure and sign that he or she understands it, yearly. All field employees will read the written procedure and sign that he or she understands it, yearly.

25 Also, sunscreen is very important!