Heat related illness poses a significant health threat to outdoor workers in California. Cal-OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard 3395 mandates that employers provide protections for their employees who work outdoors. We offer medical screening and consultation services to assist employers in complying with the Heat Illness standard.
Screening Services
- Our team will provide medical screening for employees with physical exam, blood tests, urinalysis, and questionnaire
- Following the screening our physician will provide a clearance recommendation to the employer
Consultation Services
- Our team will design a Cal-OSHA compliant training program that is customized for your employees and supervisors based on their job descriptions, duties, and environmental risks.
- We will include recommendations for timing and types of training as well as a specific heat safety plan for employees and supervisors to follow while working in the heat.
- Our team will prepare training materials which are Cal-OSHA compliant and customized for your employees and supervisors. Materials include power point slide presentations, quizzes, and activities that are designed to encourage participation and learning.
- Our physician is available to consult with employers to answer any questions about environmental and health risks as well as prevention strategies for heat-related illness
Cal-OSHA Heat Illness Standard 3395: Key Points
Applies to ALL outdoor places of employment
High Heat Procedures applies to Agriculture, Construction, Landscaping, Oil & Gas Extraction, and Transportation of agricultural products, construction or other heavy materials when temperatures are higher than 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Communication - effective communication maintained (electronic allowed) directly observe employees for signs/symptoms of heat illness or use buddy system, or regular communication with solo employee by phone/radio
- Designated employee - at worksite to call EMS
- Reminders - to drink enough throughout the shift
- Pre-shift meeting - to review High Heat Procedures
- Ag Workers - 10 minute cool-down break every 2 hours
Heat Illness = heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke.
Water provision one quart per employee per hour for drinking for the the entire shift.
Shade shall be present when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cool Down Breaks encouraged (at employee's discretion)
Emergency Response
- Communication with supervisor or EMS always available
- Employee shall not be left alone
- First Aid
- Transportation to Emergency Department
Acclimatization close observation during first 14 days of new assignment or during heat wave (>80 or >10 degrees Fahrenheit higher than past 5 days average temperature)
Training Employees: risk factors, procedures (water, shade, rest, first aid), hydration (4 cups per hour), acclimatization, types of heat illness, importance of reporting signs/symptoms, EMS contact procedures
Supervisors: as above plus monitoring weather advisories
Heat Illness Prevention Plan: part of the employer's Illness and Injury Prevention Program. Must contain:
- Procedures for the provision of water and access to shade
- High heat procedures
- Emergency response procedures
- Acclimatization methods and procedures
Heat Illness Prevention Resources
Resources with Graphics
99 Calor Educational Resources
Employee Information Card English and Spanish
NIOSH Heat Stress Prevention Infographic
Educational Resources
Adjusting to Work in the Heat - Why Acclimatization Matters