Where to start with your
Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Plan?
Here are helpful resources to draft and implement your plan.
OSHA publishes a Model Plan. Click the button to be redirected to OSHA's website.
How do you know whether the temperature and environment are safe for work? Many companies rely on the Heat Index app, jointly published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Although a useful tool, read on to see why it alone is inadequate.
Here are links to OSHA's Heat Index app:
Both OSHA's Model Plan and the Heat Index app explain that it is insufficient to rely solely on the Heat Index. Put simply, the Heat Index is not enough! Safety Officers must rely on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature [WBGT].
STEP 1: The WBGT takes account of:
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Air Temperature (°F) during hottest hour of the work shift
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Barometric Pressure (inches of Hg)
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Relative Humidity (%) during hottest hour of the work shift
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Wind Speed (mph) during hottest hour of the work shift
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Date (MONTH DAY, YEAR; e.g., January 1, 2019)
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Time (HH:MM AM/PM; e.g., 12:00 PM) during hottest hour of the work shift
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Longitude and latitude (degrees), and
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Solar Irradiance (W/m2)
STEP 2: Add the Clothing Adjustment Factor
STEP 3: Determine the Metabolic Heat
STEP 4: Determine the Exposure Limit
STEP 5: Determine the Risk Level
We found resources to help you keep your workers safe. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) produced an app that combines the OSHA guidance into their AIHA Heat Stress app.
The AIHA Heat Stress app takes account of all five Steps. Here is a link to their presentation on their app.
Here is a link to the AIHA website with further information on Heat Stress.
With the OSHA Model Plan and the AIHA Heat Stress, you are better prepared for the next heat dome!
Now, you have your Model Plan. You have the right app to better understand your hot environment. What are the components of your Workforce Hydration Plan?
Your Workforce Hydration Plan contains the following components:
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Ice
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Electrolytes, and
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Bottled Water
How much is the right amount? OSHA proposed a new standard with heat triggers.
Initial Heat Trigger at 80°F (26°C) Heat Index
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Two, Ice Cool 16.9 oz (500 ml) bottles of water per hour, which is 16 bottles per day, plus
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One, All Sport electrolyte sachet per bottle
High Heat Trigger at 90°F (32°C) Heat Index
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The above bottled water and electrolyte requirement, plus
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Mandatory, 15 minute rest breaks every two hours.
Head over to our Store to pick up water and electrolytes!
Our Workforce Hydration service is an integral component to your OSHA HIIP Plan
Ice
Electrolytes
Bottled Water
Equipment Rental
Onsite Management
Onsite Ice Manufacturing
Get a Head Start on Your OSHA HIIP
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