The name of the game is heat illness prevention. If you work outdoors a heat-related illness (HRI) should be at the forefront of your mind. The symptoms of a HRI can range from dizziness to nausea and fainting. In 2014, 2,630 workers suffered from heat illness and 18 died from heat stroke while on the job. With that said it’s no wonder OSHA has decided to put down some rules and regulations for employers. Under the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 8 section 3395 there are a few things employers must do in order to keep their employees safe under hot weather conditions; but it can really be simplified to just 3 key components: Water, Rest, and Shade.
It’s as easy as it sounds - the only thing you have to remember is that once the weather exceeds 80 degrees that’s when these rules are applied. So let’s take a look at what is required of an employer to provide for his employees once the weather gets too hot:
Water must be available near all employees working outdoors. Dehydration is one of the first symptoms of a heat related illness, so it’s important to constantly stay hydrated in hot weather conditions.
Rest and Shade go hand in hand. If you are working under strenuous conditions in the heat you owe it to yourself and your body to stop and take a breather. The sun saps away our energy so it’s important to get out of it every once in a while. Employers are required to provide a designated area of shade for their employees to rehydrate and rest.
Doing the above listed steps prevents an employee from a heat related illness. Here at Calolympic Safety we have everything needed to fulfill the requirements of the California heat illness regulation and keep your employees safe. We offer the SHAX Heavy-duty commercial tent, which offers a double vented top for maximum air flow, a polyester shell that offers UV protection, and it doesn’t hurt that it meets the CPAI- 84 flame resistant code. Shade is difficult to come by at some job sites, so why not make your own with this quick and easy to set up tent?
#Water, rest, shade is a campaign that OSHA has launched to get this info to as many people as possible. We are in the midst of summer so it’s time to get educated on heat related illnesses and the different ways of preventing them.
Join the hashtag, join the campaign, join Calolympic Safety in spreading the word of #Water, Rest, Shade.
