Definitions of Common Terms Used in the Heat Illness Prevention eTool

3395(a) Scope and Application

Applies to the control of risk of occurrence of heat illness in all outdoor places of employment

Does not exclude other Title 8 requirements, such as, IIPP, drinking water, first aid

3395(b) Definitions

"Heat Illness" means a serious medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load, and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope and heat stroke.

"Environmental risk factors for heat illness" means working conditions that create the possibility that heat illness could occur, including air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat from the sun and other sources, conductive heat sources such as the ground, air movement, workload severity and duration, protective clothing and personal protective equipment worn by employees.

"Personal risk factors for heat illness" means factors such as an individual's age, degree of acclimatization, health, water consumption, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and use of prescription medications that affect the body's water retention or other physiological responses to heat.

"Acclimatization"
A temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat that occurs gradually when a person is exposed to it. Acclimatization peaks in most people within 4 - 14 days of regular work for at least 2 hours per day in the heat.

"Shade" means blockage of direct sunlight. Canopies, umbrellas and other temporary structures or devices may be used to provide shade. One indicator that blockage is sufficient is when objects do not cast a shadow in the area of blocked sunlight. Shade is not adequate when heat in the area of shade defeats the purpose of shade, which is to allow the body to cool. For example, a car sitting in the sun does not provide acceptable shade to a person inside it, unless the car is running with air conditioning.

"Preventative Recovery Period" means a period of time to recover from the heat in order to prevent heat illness.

Section 3395(c) Provision of Water

• Sufficient amounts of cool water available at all times w/at least one quart per employee per hour for the entire shift
• Easy access to clean and cool water encourages frequent drinking
  
  
• Keep the water replenished

3395(d) Access to shade

• Preventative Recovery Period (PRP) is necessary if an employee is suffering from heat illness or believes that a rest break is needed to recover from the heat
• Employees must have access to an area with shade that is either open to the air or provided with ventilation or cooling for a period of no less than 5 minutes
• Access to shade is permitted at all times
• Non agricultural employers are permitted cooling measures other than shade if alternate means are proven as effective as shade in cooling the body