Preventing and Responding to Heat Illness
IV. Training
Cal/OSHA investigations (Study 2) showed that in 2006, in workplaces where heat illness occurred:
- 92 % did not address all the required training elements of the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard (T8 CCR 3395)
- 75% did not have training on acclimatization
- 57 % of supervisors were not trained (in fatal cases that occurred)
- 35% of supervisors were not trained (in non-fatal cases that occurred)
- A lack of training on early signs and symptoms (e.g., weakness, nausea, muscle cramps) lead to delayed recognition and reporting of heat illness. This caused:
- progression to more serious symptoms(e.g., fainting, seizures, disorientation, high internal body temperatures)
- increased difficulty in reversing the damage to the body from heat illness
- the need for immediate medical attention and treatment
Cal/OSHA investigations (Study 1) showed that in 2005 that none of the victims of heat illness had any workplace training on acclimatization.
Providing Training
Effective training is a key step in the prevention, recognition, and response to heat illness. To assist you in developing and conducting training for your employees and supervisors the following information is provided:
- When to Train
- Training Topics
- How to Train Effectively
- Checking for Understanding
It is important for all workers and supervisors to be fully trained before they are assigned to work in locations where they are at risk for heat illness. It is critical that workers and supervisors are trained to recognize and report heat illness symptoms early before a more serious medical conditions arises.
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Cal/OSHA investigations showed that:
- 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
- None of the victims of heat illness had any workplace training on acclimatization
Cal/OSHA regulations require specific training topics be covered (see Employee Training and Supervisor Training).
When conducting employee and supervisor training, make sure not to discuss employees’ own personal risk factors. Once employees and supervisors have been fully trained, encourage them to discuss freely any of their personal risk factors with their health care provider. If you happen to know that an employee has one or more personal risk factors it is important to make the necessary accommodations.
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Effective training communicates information in a language and by a method understandable to all employees. Make sure that employees and supervisors understand the information given to them. Information should be specific to employees’ and supervisors’ actual work conditions and activities.
To increase effectiveness repeat training as needed. One approach is to use daily "start-up" or "tailgate meetings". A reminder about heat illness prevention for the work to be performed that day can be given at the start of work. At other times training can be reinforced by using pictures, pamphlets, paycheck stuffers, videos, audiotapes, and other aides.
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Once trained, check to see if employees and supervisors have understood the information they received. You can do this in a number of ways including:
- Asking for feed back on the material
- Holding question and answer sessions
- Providing opportunities to practice and discuss new learning
- Using worksite observations
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