Environmental Health & Safety

• Outdoor Work

  When it is necessary to work outdoors at times when the temperature is elevated, the humidity is high, near hot radiant heat sources, or in direct sunlight, Supervisors must communicate and implement heat illness prevention procedures. 

  Important precautions include:

  • All Supervisors and employees affected must complete UC Heat Illness training in the UCR Learning Center upon hire or before working outdoors if the temperature will be over 80°F degrees.
  • Employees are allowed and encouraged to take frequent breaks in the shade and if possible inside an air-conditioned building or vehicle. Break frequency and length must increase as the temperature goes higher. Refer to the NIOSH Work/Rest Guidance for suggested break length and frequency.
  • Shade must be provided when the temperature is over 80°F. If under 80°F, shade must be provided promptly if requested by any affected worker.
  • Supervisors must remind employees to consume water throughout their shift even when not thirsty to prevent dehydration. The goal is to drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes or 1 quart every hour.
  • Supervisors, or their designees, must monitor employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness during the work day. Radio, cell, or text can be used to communicate and check in with employees if in-person is not feasible. If employees experience any symptoms, even if mild, they should notify their supervisor immediately and go to the shade and/or cooling area. The supervisor or a delegate must find the employee and assess them for symptoms, initiate first aid if symptoms are present, and call 911. Employees experiencing any symptoms should never be left alone or allowed to leave without offering medical assistance.
• Indoor Work

  Heat illness can occur in indoor areas where temperatures may exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. High heat may be due to high radiant heat from equipment, or when outdoor temperatures are high. Examples of impacted areas may include mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, dishwashing rooms, kitchens, greenhouses, steam tunnels, and other spaces.

  Supervisors and Managers can protect employees from indoor heat illness by:

  1. Identify indoor work locations with high temperatures and/or high humidity, high radiant heat (Ovens, autoclaves, steam pipes, etc.), or locations subject to high temperatures caused by weather conditions (sheds, storage buildings, greenhouses, etc.). Refer to the EH&S Indoor High Heat Locations List or contact EH&S for assistance if you are unsure a location is considered a high heat location.
  2. Implementing the UCR Main Campus Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan or a site-specific Heat Illness Prevention Plan (developed using the template) for work areas that are listed on the Indoor High Heat Locations list or that are determined or assumed to exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Employees working at the site must have a copy or access to a copy of the plan while working.
  3. Assign UC Heat Illness training to employees exposed to indoor high-heat areas.
     1. Site-specific training should be provided to employees (such as at a pre-shift meeting). This training should include a review of the items in the worksite-specific prevention plan and the items mentioned below.
  4. Ensure access to cool, clean, drinking water for each employee. If working in remote areas, Supervisors must get water to the site by providing dispensing coolers and disposable cups, bottled water, or individual water jugs.
  5. Encourage frequent rest periods in cool-down areas that are maintained below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Monitor employees for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and initiating first aid measures or emergency response. Employees should report to Supervisors if they need to take a cool-down break. If alerted, Supervisors should immediately check on the employees, assess for heat illness, and initiate first-aid.
  7. Monitor the weather, temperature and heat index. Supervisors can find weather information by using the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Stress App or the National Weather Service.
• Monitor the weather

  Supervisors must monitor the weather in advance and throughout the work shift to evaluate the risk level for heat illness by one or more of the following methods: 

  • National Weather Service (use zip code 92521 for main campus)
    • Temperature and humidity forecasts should be compared to the NWS Heat Index.
  • National Weather Service Phone Number (See CA numbers below):
    • Regional NWS Office (San Diego) - (619) 297–2107 (#1 for forecast then #3 for Western Riverside, then #1 for Western Riverside Valley)
    • Temperature and humidity forecasts should be compared to the NWS Heat Index.
  • NIOSH/OSHA Heat Index App - Available free for Apple and Android devices.
    • Provides the Heat Index using the NWS chart for you 
• Access to Drinking Water
  

  Plumbed drinking water which is fresh, pure, and suitably cool, is available to campus employees at various campus hydration stations. The location of all hydration stations can be found on the UCR Campus Map select the Water Refill/Charging Stations tab and select Water Refill Stations).

• Shade and/or Cooling Areas

  Outdoors

  Supervisors must ensure adequate shade when temperatures reach or exceed 80°F. Adequate shade on campus is readily available via nearby buildings and tree cover. Air-conditioned buildings can be used as cooling break areas instead of shade, when possible.

  On the main campus, there are few locations where access to shade or an air-conditioned building is more than a 5-minute walk. In these cases, supervisors should provide tents or air-conditioned vehicle access. 

  For extended work or strenuous projects under direct sun, supervisors should provide shade such as a tent or canopy over the immediate work location or as close as practical to where the employees are working. Shade tents must be large enough to comfortably accommodate all employees throughout work shifts or rest periods. Chairs or benchs must be provided for employees taking breaks. Air-conditioned vehicles can also be used for additional cooling during these remote projects.

  For assistance with determining adequate shade contact EH&S.

  Indoors

  A cooling station below 80 degrees must be available for cooling breaks when working in designated indoor high-heat areas. Most UCR buildings are air-conditioned but some buildings have high heat areas within the building. Areas like this will have a designated cooling area inside the building. For non-conditioned sheds,  storage buildings, head houses, and greenhouses a designated cooling area in another nearby building or an air-conditioned vehicle will be used. For areas like the steam tunnels, the cooling area will need to be determined based on the work location. 

  Supervisors must discuss with employees the plan for cooling breaks and where they will be taken that day.  For assistance in determining adequate cooling stations contact EH&S.

• High Heat Procedures for Agriculture, Landscaping, & Construction

  High-heat procedures are only required for workers who perform jobs in the industries listed below, however, it is strongly recommended that similar procedures be implemented for non-required industries to reduce the risk of heat-related illness whenever possible:

  • Agriculture (employees employed in agriculture must take a minimum 10-minute preventative cool-down rest period every two hours.)
  • Construction (some larger repair projects may be considered construction based on the scope and specific activities. Contact EH&S if you are unsure if this applies)
  • Landscaping (except for employment by an employer who operates a fixed establishment where the work is to be performed and where drinking water is plumbed)
  • Oil and gas extraction
  • Transportation (except for employment that consists of operating an air-conditioned vehicle and does not include loading and unloading.)

  The following high-heat procedures must be implemented when temperatures meet or exceed 95°F:

  • Conduct a pre-shift meeting with staff to review heat illness prevention procedures, encourage employees to drink plenty of water, remind employees where water is located near the day's worksites, remind employees of their right to and encourage them to take cool-down rest breaks often, and discuss cool-down break locations near the day's worksites.
  • Maintain effective communication and observe employees for signs of heat illness throughout the work shift by one or more of the following:
    • Supervisor/designee observation (minimum 1 supervisor per 20 employees)
    • Mandatory buddy system
    • Regular communication by radio or cellphone
    • Other
• Heat Wave Procedures

  A heat wave means any day in which the predicted high outdoor temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least ten degrees Fahrenheit greater than the average high daily outdoor temperature for the preceding five days. Whenever possible departments should postpone or reschedule activities to the early morning hours during a heat wave. 

  Outdoor work is not recommended 1:00pm to 5:00pm during a heat wave unless it is an urgent emergency repair. Supervisors must ensure every precaution is taken to avoid heat illness.

  Where no effective engineering controls are in use to control the effect of outdoor heat on indoor temperature, all employees shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee during a heat wave.  

• Acclimatization

  Acclimatization is a process in which the body adjusts to increased heat exposure. The body needs time to adapt when working in hotter environments. Employees are more likely to develop heat illness if not allowed or encouraged to take it easy when a heat wave strikes or when starting a job that newly exposes them to heat. Acclimatization is fully achieved in most people within 4 to 14 days of regular work following at least 2 hours per day in the heat.

  Cal/OSHA investigations showed that in 2005:

  • 46% of the reported cases of heat illness occurred on the employee’s first day on the job.
  • 80% of the reported cases of heat illness occurred within the first four days of employment.

  New UCR employees who have been assigned to a job that exposes them to heat shall be closely observed by a supervisor or designee for the first 14-days of the employee’s employment.

  All employees shall be closely monitored by a supervisor or designee during a heatwave. (A heatwave describes any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80°F and at least 10°F higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days.)

• Indoor High Heat Locations List

  Indoor locations will continue to be assessed and identified. Below is a list of assumed locations that must be treated as high-heat areas according to the specific notes. Some of these general categories may be assessed to provide specific rooms at a later date. If you have an indoor work location you believe to be above 82 degrees or experience an unplanned air-conditioning outage that is causing high temperatures in your work area please contact EH&S at (951) 827-5528 as soon as possible for an assessment.  

  Building/Area	Specific Notes
  All Steam Tunnels	Some tunnels sections may be cooler December-March or when the steam system is shut down and allowed to cool below 82 degrees. April through November when external temperatures are high the tunnels will likey exceed 82 degrees consistently.
  Boiler rooms	Radiant heat from boilers may cause the room temperature to exceed 82 degrees.
  Glasgow Dishroom	Poor ventilation cause the room humidity and temperature to increase over 82 degrees or 82 heat index.
  Geology Mechanical Rooms	Steam lines and proximity to the exterior causes these rooms to routinely exceed 82 degrees.
  Greenhouses	Many greenhouses may exceed 82 degrees or 82 heat index.
  Non-conditioned Head Houses	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Corporate Yard Suplus Showroom	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Corporate Yard Loading Dock	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Non-Conditioned Sheds & Storage Buildings	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Non-conditiond Workshops and Mechanics Shops	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Glasgow Dishroom	Poor ventilation cause the room humidity and temperature to increase over 82 degrees or 82 heat index.
  Rooftop Non-Conditioned Rooms and Plenums	April-November temperatures inside will likely rise above 82 degrees.
  Vivariums and Cage Washing Areas	High temperature , humidity and possible radiant heat sources may cause these room to remain continuously over 82 degrees.

   

• Heat Illness Signs and Symptoms

  Heat-related illnesses occur when the body's temperature regulation mechanisms are overwhelmed by excessive heat exposure. These conditions can range from mild to severe and require immediate attention to prevent further complications. Here is a synopsis of common heat illnesses and their respective symptoms:

  Heat Illness Symptoms and SIgns

  Stage 1 Mild Heat Stress	Stage 2 Heat syncope	Stage 3 Heat Exhaustion	Stage 4 Heat Stroke
  Heat Rash	Dizziness	Heavy Sweating	HIgh Body Temperature (>103°F)
  Heat cramps	Light headedness	Weakness	Hot dry skin (not sweating)
  	Fainting	Fatigue	Strong rapid pulse
  	Temporary loss of conciousness	Dizziness	THrobbing headache
  		Headache	Confusion
  		Nausea/vomiting	Hallucinations
  		Cool skin	Dizziness
  		Fast shallow breathing	Loss of body control
  		Elevated heart rate	Loss of conciousness
  		Low blood pressure	Seizures
  			Disorientation

• Heat Illness First-Aid

  Any employee who recognizes the symptoms or signs of heat illness in themselves, or in coworkers, should follow these steps:

  1. Immediately report any symptoms or signs of heat illness you may be experiencing or observing in a co-worker to a supervisor .
  2. Move to a cool-down or shaded area for a recovery period of at least five minutes.
  3. If the condition appears to be uncertain, severe (such as, but not limited to, decreased level of consciousness, staggering, vomiting, disorientation, irrational behavior or convulsions) or the employee does not recover quickly, then emergency medical care is needed.
  4. Call 911 or UCR Police at 951-827-5222.
  5. Someone exhibiting signs or symptoms of heat illness shall be monitored and shall not be left alone or allowed to go home without being provided with emergency medical services. Heat illness can cause damage to organs that is not immediately noticeable, so medical attention is important.
• Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Written Program

  For in-depth details about how to manage heat illness in your area consult the Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Written Program and contact EH&S for assistance.

  Outdoor and Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Written Program

  EH&S - ehs@ucr.edu  (951) 827-5528

 

 

 

 

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