Category: Uncategorized

Training Topic- Heat Stress

Introductory Comments

Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces. Although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some cases are fatal. Heat Stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes.

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Meeting Start Question

• How do we prevent Heat Stress?
• What steps are taken if an employee has symptoms of Heat Stress?
• How can you reduce your risk of heat related illness?

Critical Safety Points

Heat-Related Illnesses:

Heat Stroke- Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related illness and occurs when the body’s
temperature regulation fails, and body temperature rises to critical levels. Suffering from a Heat
Stroke can result in death or cause damage to the brain and other internal organs. Primary signs
and symptoms of heat stroke are confusion; irrational behavior; loss of consciousness;
convulsions; a lack of sweating (usually); hot, dry skin; and an abnormally high body temperature.

Heat Cramps- Heat Cramps are painful short lived muscle cramps. Heat cramps are usually caused
by performing hard physical labor in a hot environment. These cramps have been attributed to
an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating.

Heat Exhaustion- There are two types of Heat Exhaustion:

Water depletion – Signs include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.

Salt depletion – Signs include nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Fortunately, this condition responds readily to prompt treatment.

Employees suffering from heat exhaustion should be removed from the hot environment and given fluid replacement. They should also be encouraged to get

adequate rest and when possible, ice packs should be applied.

The best way to avoid a heat-related illness is to limit exposure outdoors during hot days. Air
conditioning is the best way to cool off, according to the CDC. Also:

• Drink more liquid than you think you need and avoid alcohol
• Wear loose, lightweight clothing and a hat
• Replace salt lost from sweating by drinking fruit juice or sports drinks
• Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wear sunscreen; sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool itself
• Pace yourself when you run or otherwise exert your body

Employees who are new to working in warm environments are at increased risk of heat-related illness. Especially during a worker’s first few days, absolutely all symptoms should be taken seriously. Workers who develop symptoms should receive an evaluation for possible heat-related illness.

Personal Risk Factors– Some workers handle heat stress less effectively than others. Heat
tolerance happens for a varity of reasons. Personal Risk Factors can include:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Lower level of physical activity
• Alcohol use

Employers should recognize that not all workers tolerate heat the same way. Workplace
controls should focus on making jobs safe for all employees. An occupational medical
monitoring program can identify workers who are at increased risk of heat illness, while
maintaing the confidentiality of worker’s health information.

When heat hazards are present, workers should receive training about personal factors that can
make them more susceptible to heat related illness. When in doubt, workers should talk to
their healthcare provider about whether they can work safely in the heat.

Hazard Communication

Introductory Comments

Hazard Communication also referred to as “HAZCOM” was developed to ensure that employers provide employees with important safety information about chemicals used in the workplace. Its purpose is to ensure that employers and employees can quickly identify the hazards associated with a chemical and know what protective action to take. The Hazard Communication Standard will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets.

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Meeting Start Question

• What is Hazard Communication?
• What are Safety Data Sheets?
• What is considered Hazardous Chemical?

Critical Safety Points

Categories of the Hazard Communication Standard:
• Hazard Classification
• Written Hazard Communication Program
• Labels
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
• Training

Hazard Classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards,
as well as classification of mixtures.

Written Hazard Communication Program: The Hazard Communication Program requires
employers to fully document the actions taken to comply with all the provisions of the Hazard
Communication Standards, a copy of the written program must be made available, upon request,
to all employees and OSHA Officials.

Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to provide a label that includes a
signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary
statements must also be provided.
• Signal Word: is used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard. DANGER is used
for more severe hazards and WARNING is used for less severe hazards.
• Pictogram: is a symbol plus other graphic elements to convey specific hazard information.
• Hazard Statement: describes the nature and degree of the hazards.

Safety Data Sheets: Includes information such as properties of each chemical; the physical,
health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for
handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. All the information on the SDS must be available
to employees working with or near the hazardous chemical. The SDSs are presented in a
consistent user-friendly, 16-section format.

Training: Employers are required to provide employees with effective information and training
on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment and whenever a
new physical or health hazard is introduced into the area. The training must include methods and
observations used to detect the presence or release of the chemical, physical and health hazards,
protective measures, labeling and explanation of the SDS.

Pictogram: The Hazard Communication Standard requires pictograms on labels to alert users of
the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed. Each pictogram consists of a symbol on a
white background framed with a red border and represents a distinct hazards. The pictogram on
the label is determinsed by the chemical hazard classficiation.

Hazardous Chemicals: Is a chemical that has properties with the potential to do harm to human
or animal health, the environment, or capable of damaging property. Hazardous Chemicals are
categorized as:
• Flammable or Explosive
• Irriating or Corrosive to skin, lungs, and eyes
• Toxic Chemicals such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyanide.

An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a written document required by
OSHA. The purpose of an Emergency Action Plan is to facilitate and
organize employer and employee actions during workplace
emergencies. Well-developed emergency plans and proper employee training will result in
fewer and less severe employee injuries and less structural damage to the facility during
emergencies. A workplace emergency could be one of the following:
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• Hurricane
• Tornado
• Fire
• Chemical Spill
• Civil Disturbance

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• What is an Emergency Action Plan?
• What should an Emergency Action Plan include?
• What is a Workplace emergency?

Critical Safety Point

What should your emergency action plan include?
When developing your emergency action plan, look at a variety of potential emergencies that
could occur in your workplace. It should be tailored to your worksite and include information
about all potential sources of emergencies.

Emergency Action Plan must include the following:
• A method for reporting fires and other emergencies
• An evacuation policy and procedure
• Emergency escape procedures and route assignments. Such as floor plans, workplace
maps, and safe areas.
• Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations,
operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down
for every emergency alarm before evacuating
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them

How do you alert employees to an emergency?
Your plan must include a way to alert employees, including disabled workers, to evacuate or take
other action, and how to report emergencies, as required. Among the steps you must take are
the following:
• Make sure alarms are distinctive and recognized by all employees as a signal to evacuate
the work area or perform actions identified in your plan
• Make available an emergency communication system such as a public address system,
portable radio unit, or other means to notify employees of the emergency and to contact
local law enforcement, fire department, and others
• Using tactile devices to alert employees who would not otherwise be able to recognize an
audible or visual alarm

How do establish evacuation routes and exits?
When preparing your emergency action plan, designate primary and secondary evacuation
routes and exits. To the extent possible under the conditions, ensure that evacuation routes and
emergency exits meet the following conditions:
• Clearly marked and well lit
• Wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel
• Unobstructed and clear of debris always

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

Due to high usage in the Workplace, ladders can be used frequently or
only occasionally. The most common hazards to avoid are:
• Failing to secure the ladder properly
• Overreaching
• Climbing, or descending carelessly
• Carrying too heavy or bulky loads
Injuries from ladder accidents can be severe or fatal. OSHA requires that employees working
four feet or more above the floor or ground should be guarded by fall protection.

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• How many feet above the floor or ground is needed before fall protection is required?
• How can you eliminate a fall hazard?
• How should ladders be properly stored?

Critical Safety Point

Using ladders safely begins with choosing the right one for the job. All ladders in use must be
able to support their maximum intended load and have parallel rungs supported by a rail on
each side.
• Railing– The sides of the ladder joined at intervals by either rungs, steps, cleats, or rear
braces.
• Parallel Rung– the cross-piece of a ladder on which a person steps to climb up and
down.
Instructions:
Use this Safety Toolbox
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retention with the
associated quiz.
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Types of Ladder:
• Straight ladders – Lean a straight ladder onto a structure to reach an upper level. When
using a straight ladder, the top of the ladder must exceed the height of the structure it’s
leaned on by three feet and it must be leaned at a 75-degree angle—i.e. 1:4 or 1 foot
out from the wall for every four feet of ladder height. Height is typically between 10 to
30 feet.
• Extension ladders – Extension ladders, available in 16 to 60-ft heights, are straight
ladders with a base section and a fly section that can be adjusted for various heights.
• Platform ladders – Platform ladders are step ladders with a platform area and a top
handrail. The same guidelines apply as for A-frame ladders.
Avoid Hazards- Think proactively and prevent contact with anything that could affect the
stability of your ladder, such as slippery surfaces, other people, and vehicles. If your ladder is
set up in a high traffic area, such as a doorway or aisle, secure your ladder and/or set up a
barricade around it to prevent accidental contact.
3 Point of Contact Rule– The three point of contact rule can significantly reduce the chance of a
fall. The 3 point of contact rule means three of your four limbs are in contact with the ladder at
all times- two hands and one foot, or two feet and on hand. The 3 point rule allows a person to
have maximum stability and support.

Proper Storage of a Ladder:
• Return Ladders to storage area after use.
• Ladders should be secured to the wall.
• Store ladders where they are protected from weather.

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.

One of the top 10 hazards for OSHA is Slips, Trips and Fall
hazards. This can happen to anyone. OSHA maintains
general industry regulations on walking/working surfaces that guard against
hazards including clutter, protruding objects, and wet conditions. This hazard can
cause harm in a facility, regardless of title or job responsibilities.

• Slips: are more likely to occur when you hurry or run, wear the wrong kind
of shoes, or don’t pay attention to where you’re walking.
• Trips: are more likely to happen when you are in a hurry and don’t pay
attention to where you’re going.
• Falls: occur whenever you move too far off your center of balance. Falls
account for more workplace fatalities than any other reason.

(www.OSHA.gov).

Meeting Start Question

• Will holding onto railings when climbing or descending stairs, will reduce
your chances of slipping and falling?
• Can slip, trip, and fall hazards cause harm in a facility, regardless of title or
job responsibilities?

Critical Safety Point

Slips: Slips can be caused by wet surfaces, spills, or weather hazards like ice or
snow. You can help avoid slips by following these safety precautions:
• Practice safe walking skills
• Take short steps on slippery surfaces to keep your center of balance under
you and point your feet slightly outward
• Clean-up or report spills right away.
Trips: To prevent trip hazards:
• Make sure you can see where you are walking.
• Don’t carry loads that you cannot see over
• Keep walking and working areas well lit, especially at night
• Keep the workplace clean and tidy and store materials and supplies in the
appropriate storage areas
Falls: To avoid falls consider the following measures:
• Don’t jump off landings or loading docks
• Repair or replace stairs or handrails that are loose or broken
• Keep passageways and aisles clear of clutter and well lit
• Wear shoes with appropriate non-slip soles

Common Injuries from Slips, Trip and Falls:
• Sprains, strains
• Bruises, contusions
• Fractures
• Abrasions, cuts

When injuries happen, employees should alert their manager.  The manager or manager on duty reports injuries to Sedgwick at 1-877-576-1911.