b'Garys CornerHeat Illness PreventionGary AumanAuman, Mahan & FurryHeat Illness PreventionAs we move into the summer months it is timehigh heat index environment after a period of time for all contractors to consider implementing a Heataway from the high heat index environment. Such Illness Prevention Program. There have been increasinga program will have all of the remaining four steps, reports of heat illnesses in the workplace. Employees,but will also gradually expose the employee to the who work in a high heat index environment, arehigh heat index environment. Many employers start vulnerable to various heat related illnesses. At theirtheir employees with one to two hours of labor worse, heat illnesses can result in the death of thein the high heat index environment, extending employee. Back in 2011, OSHA instituted a programthe work hour in the environment over a period to make employers aware of the dangers of workingof five to ten workdays. I recommend discussing in a high heat index environment. Since then, thereyour program with your company doctor to get have been numerous OSHA citations of employers fortheir opinion on the best way to acclimatize your heat related illnesses. The increase in reported casesemployees. As I emphasize to all employers, the can partially be attributed to the new OSHA reportingacclimatization period as well as the actions taken rules that now require reporting the hospitalizationto comply with the requirements in the next two for treatment of even one employee (the old rule wassteps will vary depending on the heat index at the three employees) for treatment. Prior to this, reportsjob site. The point for each of these steps is that of heat illness injuries were pretty much limited tothe steps taken to protect your employees will fatalities. But with the change of rules, employers mustvary depending on the heat index to which your report employees who are hospitalized for treatmentemployees are exposed.of heat related illnesses.2.The second step is to have the site supervisor Whiletherehavebeennumerousreportedestablish a work/rest regimen based upon the heat decisions, the leading OSHRC decision was by Judgeindex on the job site. So at the start of the work Patrick Augustine in March of 2012 in his decisionday, if the heat index is in the low caution range the in the case titled Secretary of Labor v. Post Buckleysite supervisor might schedule rest breaks every Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. In his decision, Judge Augustine90129 minutes. As the heat index increases into upheld a general duty clause violation against thethe caution range and higher, the rest periods may employer related to the death of an employee from heatbecome longer and more frequent. Again, to be stroke. Judge Augustine listed five components of theabsolutely sure you are doing what is necessary NIOSH criteria document for heat illness prevention asyou should run the guidelines you provide to you essential for an employer to be in compliance with thesupervisors by your company doctor. OSHA General Duty Clause. Judge Augustines decision3.The third step involves hydration. Here the NIOSH makes sense, and provides a practical checklist forCriteria document suggests that employees drink employers to follow to ensure a safe workplace for5-7 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes. Again, employees from a heat illness prevention standpoint. Isuggestrunningbyyourcompanydoctora The steps an employer should take are as followshydration schedule as to the quantity of water (be aware that all of these steps need to be implementedemployees should take in and the frequency over and enforced by the site supervisor. You should not relywhich they should consume it. Again, the quantity on employees taking responsibility for self-compliance): and frequency will vary as the heat index varies. 1.Establish an acclimatization program for employeesIn an OSHA decision involving the Sturgill Roofing upon their initial assignment to a worksite with aCompany of Dayton, Ohio in 2015, Judge Carol high heat index environment. Such a program shouldBaumerich stated that she felt that the employer also be used for an employee who is returning to theshould proactively monitor the water consumption 8 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'