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Sample Health & Safety Policy: Hot Weather and Heat Stress

If you are toiling in hot conditions, protect yourself from potentially fatal heat illness. Here’s a sample Hot Weather Plan you can adapt to your workplace to ensure that everyone is aware of heat/humidity conditions on each workday, and that adequate worker protections are in place to prevent heat illness.

 

Sample Policy for Protecting Workers in Hot Weather

When the outside temperature reaches 80° F (25° C), or the humidex reaches 85° F (29° C), ABC Company's Health & Safety Director shall implement this Hot Weather Plan. All affected supervisors will be contacted to ensure they are aware of the proper procedures to be activated.

The Health & Safety Director will measure the temperature as well as the humidity level at the following locations while the plan is active. These measurements will be taken at the beginning and halfway through the shift.

A record of these measurements shall be kept in the Human Resource office.

The following are control measures that will be implemented when this plan becomes effective:

Engineering Controls

* Air conditioned rest areas
* Fans and air bag to increase air movement
* Full use of powered equipment such as forklifts, transfer carts, cranes etc.

Administrative Controls

* Provide extra workers when possible
* Provide cool drinking water, as well as juice or sports drink near workstations and remind workers to drink a cup every 20 minutes or so
* Remind workers to salt their food (salt level drops in blood due to heavy sweating)
* Provide training for workers and supervisors to recognize the signs and symptoms of “heat stress”
* Encourage workers to wear light summer clothing to allow free air movement
* Outside workers should wear light-colored clothing and are advised to wear sunscreen
* Chainsaw operators shall receive a five-minute break every hour in an air-conditioned rest area
* An extra break of five minutes every hour will be given when the outside temperature reaches 85° F (29° C).

The Health & Safety Coordinator shall ensure that all employees and supervisors will receive documented training which includes:

* Signs and symptoms of “heat stress”
* Prevention and control measures
* Factors that could increase the risk of illness
* First aid response

First Aid Response

If an employee is experiencing symptoms of “heat stress,” please follow these important steps:

* Take the employee to an air-conditioned first aid room, cool him down with cold compresses, and give him mildly salted water to drink.
* Contact the employee’s supervisor, who will ensure the employee’s safety by determining what heat stress illness or injuries are present.
* If the employee appears to be suffering from “heat stroke,” call 911 immediately for medical assistance.

AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS SUFFERING FROM A HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS MUST NOT BE LEFT ALONE.