Heat Illness Prevention Program
Heat Illness Prevention Program
Last Updated: 03/04/2018
The purpose of the Cal MaritimeHeat Illness Prevention Program is to prevent heat related illness from occurring through education and proper work practices. This program also teaches individuals how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness, and how to respond should heat related illness occur. Heat related illness is a serious medical condition that results when the body is unable to cool itself sufficiently through sweating. Both personal and environmental factors can contribute to the likelihood of developing heat related illnesses which include heat stress, heat exhaustion and ultimately, heat stroke. Heat stroke can be fatal, especially if medical treatment is delayed.
- Ensuring their units comply with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard(link is external) and the Cal Maritime Heat Illness Prevention Program.
- Ensuring there is a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan covering all outdoor locations they have responsibility for.
- Developing and implementing procedures to reduce the risk of heat related illness for operations under their immediate control.
- Being aware of the personal and environmental risk factors that contribute to heat illness.
- Ensuring employees have access to fresh drinking water and adequate shade to cool down during breaks.
- Ensuring their employees have received documented heat illness training.
- Ensuring employees working in hot conditions are accounted for at the end of the work shift.
- Knowing how to respond to heat related illness.
- Invoking High Heat and Emergency Response Procedures when required