When temperatures are at or above 89 degrees, and employees are outside for more than one hour, the emergency heat rules combined with existing rules require employers to:
- Provide enough sufficiently cool water available for each employee to drink at least one quart per hour
- Provide sufficient shade that is large enough for and close enough to workers
- Encourage and allow workers to take paid preventative cool-down breaks as needed
- Require a 10-minute, paid cool-down break every two hours.
Depending on the type of clothing workers are wearing, the temperature at which the requirements kick in may be even lower. Employers can substitute other means of lowering body temperature for shade, like an air-conditioned trailer or a misting station.
Employers must monitor temperatures and have a system in place, like a mandatory buddy rule, regular check-in by phone or radio, or other effective method to catch signs of heat-related illness. If there are signs of illness, employers must relieve workers from duty, provide shade or other means of cooling down, and determine if additional medical attention is needed.
Here is training for Outdoor Heat Exposure and Heat Illness. This is a narrated, self-paced training resource that offers a short quiz and printed verification.
Heat Related Illness APP template link
Additional Information on Heat Related Illness is available here:
- Chapter 296-62-095 Outdoor Heat Exposure Adoption Language
- Chapter 296-307-097 Outdoor Heat Exposure (Agriculture) Adoption Language
- WSR 22-12-095 Rulemaking Order
- Be Heat Smart web page has complete details of the requirements and additional steps employers and workers can take to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Contact Rick Means if you have any questions or need assistance on Accident Prevention Program addendum or have other questions.