Heat Illness Prevention Training

1. Heat Illness Prevention Training Developed and provided as courtesy by CSU, Stanislaus EHS&EM in Partnership with CSU Pomona EH&S Revised: 06/25/2013

2. What is Extreme Heat? • Most of us associate extreme heat with a heat wave, but, any high temperature condition that your body is not acclimated to could constitute high heat. • A Heat Wave is where there is more than 48 hours of high heat (90ºF or higher) and high humidity (80% relative humidity or higher) are expected. • Heat Index is a number in degrees Fahrenheit that tells how hot it really feels with the heat and humidity. Exposure to full sun can increase the heat index by 15ºF.

3. Types of Heat Illnesses: • Sunburn • Heat Cramps • Heat Exhaustion • Heat Stroke

4. Sunburn is caused when the skin is exposed for long periods of time to radiant effects of the sun. Mild sunburn appears pink to red in color and typically is dry to the touch. Advanced sunburn may appear red in color and my feel wet due to blisters that may have erupted.

5. Heat Cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and/or low levels electrolytes in your body. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.

6. Heat Exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen. Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

7. Heat Stroke is a life threatening condition. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and even death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

9. Simply Put: • Cool the body • Give Fluids • Minimize Shock

10. What you should know / do: • Adjust to the environment (Acclimatization) • Stay indoors • Stay on the lowest floor • Public Buildings • Eat well balanced, light, and regular meals • Exercise regularly and keep in shape.

11. Drink plenty of water You should drink about 12 ounces of water per hour throughout the day and up to 4 cups per hour under extreme conditions of work and heat.

12. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages and caffeine • Dress in loose fitting, lightweight, light colored clothes • Wear a straw hat with a wide brim • Protect your skin • Check on family, friends, and neighbors • Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles • Avoid strenuous work or exercise during the warmest part of the day • Work in the shade, as much as possible. • Check the weather report and respond to heat advisories

13. Heat Illness can quickly turn for the worse. If you suspect heat illness in yourself or a co-worker, immediately report to your supervisor or call University Police at 911.

14. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan • Department Responsibilities • Identify employees exposed to outdoor heat. • Ensure employees are trained. • Retain copies of training records and send to EH&S. • Provide required equipment. • Comply with the procedures and ensure employees comply. • Training • Supervisory and non-supervisory employees prior to assignment

15. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued • Access to Drinking Water • Ensure employees have access to potable drinking water. • Provide one quart per employee per hour for drinking for the entire shift. • The frequent drinking of water shall be encouraged • Department must have procedures to replenish drinking water as needed. • Access to Shade for Employees • Employees with Heat Illness • Believing a preventative recovery period is needed • Shade will be open to the air or provided with ventilation • Cooling periods will be at least 5 minutes • Shade shall to accommodate at least 25% of the workers

16. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued • Access to Shade Continued • Shade must be available and/or set up at temperatures above 85o F • Response to Symptoms of Heat Illness • Police officers are trained in first aid and CPR. • Know who in your area etc. is trained in first aid and/ or CPR. • Follow the treatment listed in this presentation and/or the Cal Poly Pomona Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan.

17. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued • Response continued • For Major Heat Illness (Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke) DIAL 911 from a campus phone, 909-869-3070 from a Cell Phone, contact Facilities Customer Service via radio and have them DIAL 911 or contact Police Dispatch via radio. Give them: • Your name • Location and clear directions to the location. • Telephone number • As much information as possible and if the victim is conscious.

18. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued • Response continued • Remain with the victim until help arrives. Keep the victim calm and comfortable. • Do not attempt to render first aid unless you have been trained to do so. • Only move a seriously injured person if it is a life-threatening situation. • Report all illnesses and injuries to your immediate supervisor.

19. Cal Poly Pomona’s Plan continued • Transportation of Ill Individuals • University Police will dispatch Medic 1 or an ambulance to transport ill individuals. • High-heat Procedures (>95°F): • Ensure effective communication so that employees can contact a supervisor when necessary. • Observe employees for alertness and signs or symptoms of heat illness. • Remind employees to drink water. • Closely supervise new employees for their first 14 days of employment.

20. Test your knowledge • What are factors that can lead to heat illnesses? • What are some symptoms of heat exhaustion? • What are some symptoms of heat stroke?

21. Test your knowledgecontinued • What are some ways that you can prevent heat illnesses? • What should you do if you suspect someone is experiencing a heat illness and they vomit?