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. Employees should develop a plan for safe work by reviewing the UCR Main Campus Heat Illness Prevention Plan before beginning work. Other locations can use the template to create a plan for their site or contact EH&S for assistance.

  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. Shade must be as close to the worksite as practicable. Buildings, trees, tents, and awnings are some examples of shade that can be used. A vehicle may not be used for shade unless it is on with air-conditioning running so it is cool when the employee enters it. The designated shade area must have seating so workers do not have to sit on the ground. Supervisors should remind employees where to find shade close to their assigned work location.

  • Employees must 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 are required to encourage their employees to drink water throughout the day. Water is available in most all buildings on campus via drinking fountains and bottle fillers. There is an ice machine at EH&S open to all employees. Where employees will be working outside a cooler or insulated jug should be used to keep water at the ready. Workers should also consider adding a sports drink to their routine to replace electrolytes as they sweat. 

  • Supervisors must monitor employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness during the work day. 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 monitor and assess them for symptoms, initiate first aid if possible, and call 911. Employees experiencing any symptoms should never be left alone.

• High Heat Procedures for Outdoor Work

  During Extreme heat warnings, heat waves, and elevated temperatures over 95°F the following precautions must be implemented by Supervisors in addition to the precautions noted above. 

  • As soon as the forecast calls for temperatures over 95°F tasks should be prioritized and any that can be delayed until cooler weather arrives should be delayed. If tasks are urgent and cannot be delayed they should be scheduled for early morning or overnight to avoid working in direct sunlight. 
  • A pre-work meeting must be held to review the high heat procedures, encourage employees to drink plenty of water, take cool-down breaks often when they feel they need to do so, and at a minimum 15 minutes every two hours.
  • Supervisors must establish a plan for communication and check-ins with employees. If employees do not have the means to communicate, Supervisors or delegated employees must check on them. 
• Indoor Work

  Heat illness can potentially 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, dishrooms, cooklines, greenhouses, steam tunnels and other spaces.

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

  1. Identifying indoor work locations with consistent high temperature and/or high humidity, high radiant heat (Ovens, autoclaves, steam pipes,etc.), or locations subject to high temperatures based on weather conditions (sheds, storage buildings, greenhouses, etc.) Refer to the EH&S Indoor High Heat Locations List or contact EJH&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. Assigning UC Heat Illness training to employees exposed to indoor high-heat areas.
     • Site-specific training should be provided to employees (such as at a pre-shift meeting or safety tailgate). This training should include a review of the items in the Prevention Plan and the items mentioned below.
  4. Ensure access to cool, clean, drinking water to 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. Encouraging frequent rest periods in cool-down areas that are maintained below 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
  6. Monitoring 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 and assess for heat illness.
  7. Monitoring the weather, temperature and heat index. Supervisors can find weather information by using the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Stress App or by visiting the National Weather Service.

  
  If employees work alone or for extended periods in impacted areas, please contact EH&S via ehs@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail) to schedule an evaluation. EH&S staff will assist in development of a site-specific safety plan to prevent heat illness.

• Indoor High Heat Locations List

  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 and be below 82 degrees. April through November when external temperatures are high the tunnels will likey exceed 82 degrees consistently.
  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 may rise above 82 degrees.
  Boiler rooms	Radiant heat from boilers may cause the room temperature to exceed 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

 

 

 

 

​