b'SAFETYContinued from page 28all employees working at the site and the plan must bethe National Weather Service (NWS) or other reputable available in a language each employee, supervisor, andsources. From here, you need to determine the heat index heat safety coordinator understands.As I reviewed theseat the site. And, you are expected to monitor the heat index requirements it became apparent that each HIIPP mustwith sufficient frequency to determine with reasonable be site specific. accuracy employees exposure to heat.At least twice in the PR, OSHA states that the employerIndoor work areas have much the same requirements. must identify the heat metric that it will monitor to complyThe employer for employees working indoors must identify with the identification of heat hazards. The heat metric mayeach work area where there is a reasonable expectation be either the heat index or the wet bulb globe temperature.that employees will be exposed to heat at or above the When addressing this in outdoor work, it states that thisinitial heat trigger. This section also requires the employer will be used to determine the appropriate heat trigger. Butto reassess whenever there is a change in production, when the heat metric is discussed with regard to indoorequipment, controls, or a substantial increase in outdoor work, the implication is that the heat metric chosen willtemperature, which has the potential to increase heat determine the applicable initial and high heat triggers forexposure indoors.purposes of the standard.In this standard there is a section which removes the Each time you have a heat-related illness or injury thatobligation for heat testing under certain conditions. This results in death, days away from work, medical treatmentsection states that you, the employer, can assume that the beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness, you must reviewtemperature at the work area is at or above both the initial and evaluate the effectiveness of your HIIPP. If none ofheat and high heat triggers and implement the steps for these occur, you must evaluate it annually. the high heat trigger without repeating steps to determine the necessary protection for your employees. Basically, When engaged in outdoor work, the employer must monitorit appears that if you assume that your employees are the heat index with sufficient frequency to determine withexposed to high heat and you protect them accordingly, reasonable accuracy your employees exposure to heat.you can be excused from all monitoring requirements in In connection with this, you must monitor heat conditionsthe standard. This gives you relief you do not get in other at outdoor work areas by tracking the local heat indexstandards, such as working with air contaminants, etc. forecasts. I found it interesting that the new standard does not suggest using the OSHA Heat Tool App to performThe standard sets out several requirements for employers this task. when the measurements are above the initial heat trigger. First, the employer must provide access to potable water For indoor work, the employer must identify each work areafor drinking. This is water that is placed in locations readily where there is a reasonable expectation that employeesaccessible to employees, suitably cool, and in sufficient are or may be exposed to heat at or above the initial heatquantities to provide at least one quart of drinking water trigger (80F). The standard also indicates that for indoorper employee per hour. Also, there is an explanation of work, this information will need to be updated anytimethe requirement for break areas at outdoor and indoor there is a change in production, processes, equipment,work areas. For outdoor work areas, the employer must or a substantial increase in outdoor temperature whichprovide areas for employees to take breaks that can has the potential to increase the heat exposure indoors. accommodate the number of employees on break and As with outdoor workers, employers must seek inputwhich are accessible to the work area and provide artificial and involvement of non-managerial employees and theirshade from a tent or pavilion, (but not from equipment), or representatives, if any, when evaluating the work siteair conditioning in an enclosure. For indoor work areas, to identify work areas with a reasonable expectation ofthe employer must provide a means to get increased air exposures at or above the initial heat trigger. While themovement with fans or comparable natural ventilation. standard does not specifically require documentation, IAir conditioning is also an available mechanism. If the strongly suggest that you do document (1) when you soughtemployer has radiant heat sources inside the facility, it input and involvement from non-managerial employees;must take steps to effectively reduce employee exposure (2) who you sought for that input and their response; andto the radiant heat source.(3) if you did not use the input you received, why you didThe new standard also addresses acclimatization. It not implement that input. requires that new employees be acclimated by gradual Nextthestandarddiscussestherequirementstheacclimatization, with the employee exposure to heat being employer has under the standard to its employees for bothrestricted to no more than 20% the first day, 40% on the the initial and high heat triggers. When working outdoors,second day, and so forth until fully acclimated. For returning employers are required to monitor the heat conditionsemployees, you must reacclimate them by no more than at the work site. This can be accomplished by tracking50% of a normal work shift the first day, 60% the second day Continued on page 30www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 29'