In-climate Weather – Heat Policy

The website below should be monitored to determine the heat index for when additional precautions should be taken during high temperatures.  The Heat Index or “Feels Like” temperature should be utilized.

Official Temperature/ Heat Index Website:https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html

 

General Guidelines

During the summer months it is important to shift outdoor tasks that require prolonged time in the elements to the morning hours of the day when it tends to be cooler.  Please try to schedule activities like grounds or items like moving an appliance that may require strenuous activity before noon. 

 

Have a Plan: Have an emergency medical plan easily accessible in case of emergency heat illness. See attachment : Heat Illness Prevention Plan

 

For Buildings with Offices or Shops- Ensure all employees are aware that they have access to the space to use as a cooling area.  Please ensure that the office has a cooling mechanism available that can maintain an interior temperature of 79 degrees or lower.  This can be done through use of a fan or an air conditioner unit.

For Buildings without Offices- Identify a shaded area at the property to use as a designated cooling area.

Stock- Electrolyte packets or tablets (caffeine free)  in an easily accessible location.

Example:

 

All employees who are working away from an office or shop must carry 32 oz of water with them to the jobsite per hour of anticipated work in temperatures over 80 degrees on the heat index. If you do not already have an insulated water bottle please order one using your Divvy Account.

 

Example: 32 oz insulated water bottle

 

 

 

Personal air conditioning unit may be purchased for use in vacant units or for properties without offices or shops.

 

Example: Battery operated Air Conditioner

 

 

 

High Heat Practices- temperatures that exceed 90 degrees on the heat index

 

All team members working in temperatures that exceed 90 degrees on the heat index must comply with the following:

 

• Maintain a method of communication on your person, community radio or cell phone to ensure you can contact your team member  or emergency services if you experience signs of heat illness, heat stroke or are in distress.

 

• Take a mandatory 10 minute cooling break every hour, do not exceed 2 hours of outdoor work during high heat time periods. Check in with your supervisor after completing outdoor tasks in high heat time periods.

 

• If a team member working outdoors does not check in after the two hour time period the manager must contact the team member through the designated contact method, either community radio or cell phone.
• It is recommended that anyone working in high heat temperatures drink water at least every 15 minutes even if you do not feel thirsty.

 

 

 

Know the Signs of Heat Illness: