Health and Safety

Notice from Fels (Farm Employers Labor Service)

Cal-OSHA will actively enforce the heat illness prevention standard this summer, and farm emplyers should be prepared for this. Cal-OSHA recently clarified informally its intention to expect emplyers to be able to furnish, in the field, a written heat illness prevention program before the end of an inspection or face citations for failure to do so. Further, Cal-OSHA will cite employers in instances where water and shade are not placed closer than 1/4 mile from where emplyees are working if the agency deems it feasible to do so.

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Protect yourself and your employees from heat stress

By Mike Klimenko
Farm Bureau Group Manager

California’s scorching summer temperatures are approaching. In many areas of the state, temperatures approaching and surpassing the century mark are not uncommon. With the heat comes the potential danger of heat stress when a person’s body may have trouble regulating its temperature.

When a person’s body heats up faster than it can cool itself, heat stress may occur. If the situation isn’t too severe, the person suffering from heat stress may experience a rash, cramps and a feeling of exhaustion. If these warning signs aren’t heeded, the result may be heat stroke, a serious threat that may lead to brain damage and death.
Heat stroke occurs when the body has used up all of its water and salt and stops sweating as a result. As the body temperature rises, the person feels weaker and weaker, and may start acting confused or upset. As the situation becomes more dire, the victim may pass out or have convulsions. If heat stroke is suspected, it is imperative to call 911 immediately because this condition can kill a person quickly.
While waiting for the EMTs to arrive, there are things that can be done to aid the victim. Remove excess clothing from the victim, fan and spray him or her with cool water. Offer sips of cool water if the person is conscious.

Prevention is the best course of action. Here are some tips to help prepare you and your employees for summer temperatures:

• Drink small amounts of water frequently. Be sure to avoid alcohol because it increases the loss of body fluids.
• Whenever possible, schedule hot jobs for cooler times of day or cooler seasons of the year.
• Take rest breaks in cool areas and add more workers to reduce the workload or shorten the workday.
• Gradually adapting to heat will reduce the severity of heat stress.
• Mechanize heavy jobs and when possible increase air movement with fans or coolers.
• Clothing can affect heat buildup, so it is recommended that loose, lightweight and light colored clothing be worn.
• Do not use salt tablets. Taking salt tablets can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and seriously affect workers with heart disease.

Awareness, which comes from proper training, is an essential feature of heat stress management. It should be conducted for both employees working on heat-related jobs and for their supervisors. The information gained from the training enables them to recognize heat stress and to control the risks associated with it.

Due to the severity of heat illness in the past, State Fund provides information on heat illness prevention on our website at www.statefundca.com/news/FeatureArticles2009/050609-EmployerResponsibilities.asp?WT.svl=7. In addition, Cal/OSHA has taken steps to clarify some of the issues concerning the Heat Illness Prevention Standard. Please check www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/HeatIllnessInfo.html.

Since 1943, Farm Bureau and State Fund have been business partners. When your policy comes up for renewal, if you are not insured with State Fund, please be sure to get a quote in our Farm Bureau Group Program.

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