Outdoor Heat Outdoor Heat ExposureExposure

WAC 296-62-095WAC 296-62-095

June 2008

Your Department/Work Group

WAC 296-62-095 Scope and WAC 296-62-095 Scope and PurposePurpose

The requirements of WAC 296-62-095 The requirements of WAC 296-62-095 through 296-62-09560 apply to through 296-62-09560 apply to outdoor work environmentsoutdoor work environments

- from May 1 thru Sept 30, annually,- from May 1 thru Sept 30, annually, - only when employees are exposed - only when employees are exposed

to outdoor heat at or above an to outdoor heat at or above an applicable outdoor temperature applicable outdoor temperature listed in Table 1.listed in Table 1.

Table 1 – Temperature Table 1 – Temperature Action LevelsAction Levels

To determine which To determine which temperature applies to temperature applies to each worksite, select the each worksite, select the temperature associated temperature associated with the general type of with the general type of clothing or personal clothing or personal protective equipment protective equipment (PPE) each employee is (PPE) each employee is required to wear.required to wear.

Note: There is no Note: There is no requirement to maintain requirement to maintain temperature records. temperature records. The temperatures in The temperatures in Table 1 were developed Table 1 were developed based on Washington based on Washington State data and are not State data and are not applicable to other applicable to other states.states.

All other clothingAll other clothing 89 degrees 89 degrees FF

Double-layer Double-layer woven clothes woven clothes including including coveralls, jackets coveralls, jackets and sweatshirts and sweatshirts

(Note: also (Note: also regular rain regular rain gear)gear)

77 degrees 77 degrees FF

Non-breathing Non-breathing clothes including clothes including vapor barrier vapor barrier clothing or PPE clothing or PPE such as chemical such as chemical resistant suits or resistant suits or chemical chemical cartridge cartridge respiratorrespirator

52 degrees 52 degrees FF

2007 Washington State Temperature 2007 Washington State Temperature StatisticsStatistics

Days with High Temp at or Above 89 degrees FDays with High Temp at or Above 89 degrees F

CityCity May May JuneJune JulyJuly AugustAugust SeptemberSeptember City TotalsCity Totals

BellinghamBellingham 00 00 11 00 00 11

Moses LakeMoses Lake 11 44 2323 1111 11 4040

OmakOmak 11 44 2525 1313 33 4646

SeattleSeattle 00 00 22 00 00 22

SpokaneSpokane 00 11 1414 44 00 1919

Tri-CitiesTri-Cities 22 88 2727 1717 44 5858

VancouverVancouver 11 11 33 55 22 1212

WenatcheeWenatchee 00 33 1616 55 00 2424

YakimaYakima 22 44 2323 1111 11 4141

Note: More days occurred affecting people wearing double layer (77 degrees F) or non-breathable clothes (52 degrees F).

WAC 296-62-095 Scope and WAC 296-62-095 Scope and PurposePurpose

The requirements do not apply to The requirements do not apply to incidental exposure. An incidental exposure incidental exposure. An incidental exposure is a work activity outdoors for less than 15 is a work activity outdoors for less than 15 minutes in any 60 minute period. This minutes in any 60 minute period. This exception may be applied every hour during exception may be applied every hour during the work shift.the work shift.

Where the requirements under these Where the requirements under these sections provide more specific or greater sections provide more specific or greater protection than the industry-specific protection than the industry-specific standards, the employer shall comply with standards, the employer shall comply with the requirements under these sections.the requirements under these sections.

Heat-related illness:Heat-related illness: Happens when the body is not able to Happens when the body is not able to

cool itself and the body overheatscool itself and the body overheats Can cause injury, disability or deathCan cause injury, disability or death Is preventableIs preventable

NASA

Why is it important to know about and address outdoor heat exposure? Hot weather can cause mental and physical fatigue Extra care is needed when working and driving Heat exposure can cause heat-related illness under certain conditions

Where does heat illness Where does heat illness happen?happen?

Heat illness can affect anyone.Heat illness can affect anyone. Heat illness can happen to workers during landscaping, gardening, Heat illness can happen to workers during landscaping, gardening,

transportation, forestry, construction projects, field work, sporting events, transportation, forestry, construction projects, field work, sporting events, on water craft, etc.on water craft, etc.

Environmental factors that Environmental factors that contribute to the risk of heat-contribute to the risk of heat-

related illnessrelated illness

Are you at risk of outdoor heat Are you at risk of outdoor heat stress?stress?

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

Workload ActivitiesWorkload Activities

Clothing and Personal Protective EquipmentClothing and Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Risk FactorsPersonal Risk Factors

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

Direct sun, heat and Direct sun, heat and humidityhumidity

More direct sun, the greater the More direct sun, the greater the risk risk

Limited air movementLimited air movement Low or no windLow or no wind

Environmental FactorsEnvironmental Factors

Hot equipmentHot equipment Engines add more heatEngines add more heat

Heat reflected from Heat reflected from ground or objectsground or objects

Watch out for reflected Watch out for reflected heatheat

Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors

Physical exertionWhat kind of work are you doing? How hard are you working?

Workload ActivityWorkload Activity

CategoriesCategories Example ActivitiesExample Activities

RestingResting Sitting quietlySitting quietlySitting with moderate arm movementSitting with moderate arm movement

LightLight Sitting with moderate arm and leg Sitting with moderate arm and leg movements movements Standing with light work at machine or Standing with light work at machine or bench while using mostly arms bench while using mostly arms Using a table saw Using a table saw Standing with light work at machine or Standing with light work at machine or bench and some walking aboutbench and some walking aboutDriving a tractor (at times can be moderate)Driving a tractor (at times can be moderate)

CategoriesCategories Example ActivitiesExample Activities

ModerateModerate Scrubbing in a standing position Scrubbing in a standing position Walking about with moderate lifting or pushing Walking about with moderate lifting or pushing Walking on level at about 4 miles/hr while Walking on level at about 4 miles/hr while carrying 6-7 pound weight loadcarrying 6-7 pound weight load

HeavyHeavy Carpenter sawing by hand Carpenter sawing by hand Going up and down laddersGoing up and down laddersChopping weeds Chopping weeds Heavy assembly work on a non-continuous basis Heavy assembly work on a non-continuous basis Intermittent heavy lifting with pushing or pulling Intermittent heavy lifting with pushing or pulling (e.g. pick-and-shovel work)(e.g. pick-and-shovel work)

Very HeavyVery Heavy Shoveling wet sandShoveling wet sandBucking hay balesBucking hay balesHand chopping hops vinesHand chopping hops vines

PPEPPE

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Heavy clothing Multiple layers Dark colored clothing Protective clothing

Vapor barrier clothingChemical resistant suits

Respiratory protection

Personal factors that may make Personal factors that may make you more susceptible to you more susceptible to

heat-related illnessheat-related illness

Personal risk factorsPersonal risk factors DehydrationDehydration

Failure to drink enough water can Failure to drink enough water can make you dehydratedmake you dehydrated

Loss of electrolytesLoss of electrolytes When you sweat you lose electrolytesWhen you sweat you lose electrolytes Electrolytes are needed for your body Electrolytes are needed for your body

to functionto function

Illness/feverIllness/fever

Personal risk factorsPersonal risk factors Age, weight, and personal fitnessAge, weight, and personal fitness Past heat-related illnessPast heat-related illness Medical conditionsMedical conditions

Heart conditionsHeart conditions DiabetesDiabetes Etc.Etc.

Certain medicationsCertain medications See next slideSee next slide

Some medications can make you Some medications can make you more sensitive to the effects of heat.more sensitive to the effects of heat.

Allergy medicines (antihistamines)Allergy medicines (antihistamines) Cough and cold medicines Cough and cold medicines Blood pressure and heart medicines Blood pressure and heart medicines Irritable bladder or bowel medicines Irritable bladder or bowel medicines LaxativesLaxatives Mental health medicines Mental health medicines Seizure medicines Seizure medicines Thyroid pillsThyroid pills Water pills (diuretics)Water pills (diuretics)

A health care provider or pharmacist can A health care provider or pharmacist can tell you for sure.tell you for sure.

Personal risk factorsPersonal risk factors

Diet– Sugar-added drinks– Heavy foods– Alcohol– Hangover

“I’m tough ~ I don’t need a water break”

“I’m not thirsty ~ I don’t need to drink”

“I’ll lose pay if I take a water break”

“I’ll be letting my team down”

“I’m new here ~ I need to prove myself”

Don’t fall for these beliefs – we want you healthy!

Personal risk factors

Helpful tips for working in the heat - Helpful tips for working in the heat - Work SmartWork Smart

Have a “Buddy System” to keep an Have a “Buddy System” to keep an eye on co-workers for symptoms of eye on co-workers for symptoms of heat illness such as crankiness and heat illness such as crankiness and denial denial

Increase breaks if: Increase breaks if: • Conditions are very hot; orConditions are very hot; or• High exertion levels; orHigh exertion levels; or• Protective clothing limits Protective clothing limits

evaporative coolingevaporative cooling Alternate heavy work with light work Alternate heavy work with light work

when possiblewhen possible When possible, schedule the hardest When possible, schedule the hardest

work for the cooler parts of the daywork for the cooler parts of the day

Helpful tips for working in the heat - Helpful tips for working in the heat - Work SmartWork Smart

Wear proper clothingWear proper clothing Light coloredLight colored Light weightLight weight Natural fibersNatural fibers Hat with a brimHat with a brim Cooling vest may be Cooling vest may be

helpful in some caseshelpful in some cases. .

Work in the shade or out of direct sun when possible

Avoid getting sunburned

Remove PPE and excess clothing Remove PPE and excess clothing during breaksduring breaks

This is important to help you stay cool

WaterWater It is important to drink small quantities of water It is important to drink small quantities of water

throughout the day.throughout the day.

One quart or more over the course of an hour One quart or more over the course of an hour may be necessary when the work environment may be necessary when the work environment is hot and you may be sweating more than is hot and you may be sweating more than usual as you work.usual as you work.

Employers are responsible for encouraging Employers are responsible for encouraging water consumption.water consumption.

Employees are responsible for monitoring their Employees are responsible for monitoring their own personal factors for heat-related illness own personal factors for heat-related illness including consumption of water or other including consumption of water or other acceptable beverages to ensure hydration.acceptable beverages to ensure hydration.

Proper hydration is Proper hydration is keykey to preventing heat to preventing heat

illnessillnessDODO Drink plenty of water Drink plenty of water Start work well hydratedStart work well hydrated Consider sports drinks for electrolyte Consider sports drinks for electrolyte

replacement when sweating a lotreplacement when sweating a lot

AVOIDAVOID Drinking pop and other sugary drinksDrinking pop and other sugary drinks Drinking lots of coffee and tea Drinking lots of coffee and tea Drinking alcoholDrinking alcohol Waiting for thirst before drinking waterWaiting for thirst before drinking water

Closeable & have tapCloseable & have tap Clearly markedClearly marked Suitably cool Suitably cool (60 (60

degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Fahrenheit or less)less)

Individual cupsIndividual cups

Other options:•Bottled water•Hydration packs (“camelbacks”)

Lightweight bags carried on the back. Users sip water through a tube.

Worker wearing hydration pack

Hydration pack

Drinking water Drinking water sources:sources:

Acclimatization Acclimatization When people are not used to being When people are not used to being

in the heat they need to adjust in the heat they need to adjust (acclimate) to hot working (acclimate) to hot working conditions over a few days.conditions over a few days.

In severe heat, gradually build up In severe heat, gradually build up exposure time especially if work is exposure time especially if work is strenuous. strenuous.

Eastern WA workers experience Eastern WA workers experience more heat and are better more heat and are better acclimated.acclimated.

Western WA workers experience Western WA workers experience heat less often and do not have heat less often and do not have the opportunity to acclimate.the opportunity to acclimate.

Pay special attention to:•New employees•People just back from being sick•Anyone absent for more than 2 weeks•People who have just moved from a cooler climate•Everyone during heat wave events

Types of Heat IllnessesTypes of Heat IllnessesThere are five main kinds of heat illness:There are five main kinds of heat illness:

1.1. Heat rash – often under clothingHeat rash – often under clothing

2.2. Heat cramps – in arms or legs with physical Heat cramps – in arms or legs with physical labor. Can be caused by the loss of electrolytes labor. Can be caused by the loss of electrolytes from sweating.from sweating.

3.3. Fainting – can occur when person not used to Fainting – can occur when person not used to heatheat

4.4. Heat exhaustion – more serious effectHeat exhaustion – more serious effect

5.5. Heat stroke – can be fatalHeat stroke – can be fatal

Dehydration HeatExhaustion

HeatStroke

What are the most serious heat illnesses?

Untreated heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke.Symptoms of either should always be taken seriously

Note: Heat exhaustion or heat stroke may develop over a few days.

Heat exhaustion and Heat stroke

Heat-related illness: Signs, symptoms, Heat-related illness: Signs, symptoms, and responseand response

IllnessIllness Signs and Signs and SymptomsSymptoms

ResponseResponse

Heat rashHeat rash Red blister-like Red blister-like eruptions/bumpseruptions/bumpsItching (prickly Itching (prickly sensation)sensation)

Rest in a cool place.Rest in a cool place.Allow the skin to dry.Allow the skin to dry.Monitor for infection. Monitor for infection.

Heat CrampsHeat Cramps Painful spasmsPainful spasmsAbnormal body Abnormal body posturepostureGrasping the Grasping the affected areaaffected area

Rest in a cool place. Rest in a cool place. Drink water or a heavily diluted Drink water or a heavily diluted sports beverage (such as sports beverage (such as Gatorade).Gatorade).Seek medical attention if Seek medical attention if cramping is severe or does not cramping is severe or does not go away.go away.

Heat exhaustion: Signs and symptomsHeat exhaustion: Signs and symptomsIllnessIllness Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms

Heat Heat exhaustionexhaustion

Headaches, Headaches, Dizziness, light-headedness, or faintingDizziness, light-headedness, or faintingWeakness, Weakness, Mood changes, irritability or confusionMood changes, irritability or confusionFeeling sick to your stomach and/or Feeling sick to your stomach and/or vomitingvomitingExtreme sweatingExtreme sweatingDecreased and dark-colored urineDecreased and dark-colored urinePale clammy skin Pale clammy skin

Heat stroke: Signs and symptomsHeat stroke: Signs and symptomsIllnessIllness Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms

Heat strokeHeat stroke Dry, pale skin, Dry, pale skin, Sweating may still be present Sweating may still be present Nausea and vomitingNausea and vomitingHot, red skin (looks like sunburn) Hot, red skin (looks like sunburn) Mood changes, irritability, confusion, and not Mood changes, irritability, confusion, and not making any sense making any sense Seizures or fits Seizures or fits Collapse (will not respond)Collapse (will not respond)High temperature (104° F or higher)High temperature (104° F or higher)

Heat exhaustion: ResponseHeat exhaustion: Response • • Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the person alone. If the person is dizzy or light-headed, lay him on person alone. If the person is dizzy or light-headed, lay him on his back and raise his legs about 6-8 inches. If the person is his back and raise his legs about 6-8 inches. If the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.

• • Loosen and remove heavy clothing.Loosen and remove heavy clothing.

• • Have the person drink some cool water (a small cup every 15 Have the person drink some cool water (a small cup every 15 minutes) if he is not feeling sick to his stomach.minutes) if he is not feeling sick to his stomach.

• • Try to cool the person by fanning him. Cool the skin with a Try to cool the person by fanning him. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water or wet cloth.cool spray mist of water or wet cloth.

• • If the person does not feel better in a few minutes call for If the person does not feel better in a few minutes call for emergency help (UWPD at 911.)emergency help (UWPD at 911.)

If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance to heat stroke.to heat stroke.

Heat stroke: Heat stroke: Response – Response – A Medical EmergencyA Medical Emergency

Call for emergency help (ambulance or 911)Call for emergency help (ambulance or 911)Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the person alone. Lay him on his back and if the person is having person alone. Lay him on his back and if the person is having seizures, remove objects close to him so he won’t hit them. If seizures, remove objects close to him so he won’t hit them. If the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.Remove heavy and outer clothing.Remove heavy and outer clothing.Have the person drink small amounts of cool water if he is Have the person drink small amounts of cool water if he is alert enough to drink anything and not feeling sick to his alert enough to drink anything and not feeling sick to his stomach.stomach.Try to cool the person by fanning him or her. Cool the skin Try to cool the person by fanning him or her. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water, wet cloth, or wet sheet.with a cool spray mist of water, wet cloth, or wet sheet.If ice is available, place ice packs in armpits and groin area.If ice is available, place ice packs in armpits and groin area.

Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?

The telling difference is mental confusion/disorientation in ALL heat stroke victims.

You can ask these 3 questions. 1. "What is your name?"

2. "What day is this?" 3. "Where are we?"

If a worker can’t answer these questions,assume it is heat stroke.

How do you tell the difference??

Important!Important!Stop all activity if you become:Stop all activity if you become:

LightheadedLightheaded ConfusedConfused WeakWeak FaintFaint Or have a pounding heart or trouble breathingOr have a pounding heart or trouble breathing

Tell your supervisor if you or one of your co-workers experience symptoms of heat-related illness.

How emergency medical services How emergency medical services will be provided should they will be provided should they

become necessary:become necessary:

Call 911Call 911

Remember – to prevent heat illness:Remember – to prevent heat illness: Drink water frequently !!Drink water frequently !!

Know the signs and symptoms of heat Know the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses and take them seriously related illnesses and take them seriously

Consider sports drinks when sweating a lotConsider sports drinks when sweating a lot

Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and heavy meals before or during workheavy meals before or during work

Work smartWork smart

AcclimateAcclimate

Wear appropriate clothingWear appropriate clothing

Take regular breaksTake regular breaks

Keep an eye on your buddy!Keep an eye on your buddy!

Photo credit: www.csao.org

Quick Quiz – True or FalseQuick Quiz – True or False

1.1. Cola drinks are the best way to hydrate Cola drinks are the best way to hydrate when you are working outside.when you are working outside.

2.2. Light colored clothing is better than dark Light colored clothing is better than dark when working in the sun.when working in the sun.

3.3. Your medicine may make you more Your medicine may make you more vulnerable to heat-related illness.vulnerable to heat-related illness.

4.4. It is important to drink your water all at It is important to drink your water all at once.once.