It’s summertime and warmer temperatures are returning. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the region starting Friday. Heat can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions. Please share this information with supervisors and employees in your department that work outdoors or may be exposed to high temperatures indoors during their workday.
Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 80°F
Workers performing job duties outside must follow the campus Heat Illness Prevention & Response Plan to comply with Cal/OSHA. Important precautions include:
- Schedule breaks
- Provide water, and ample shade whenever heat exceeds 80°F
- Monitor workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness
- Rest in shade if experiencing heat exhaustion and do not return to work in the sun
- Symptoms may include nausea, weakness or fatigue, excessive sweating
- Postpone strenuous work until cooler parts of the day, when possible
- If someone is experiencing heat stroke, immediately call 911 and attempt to cool the person down
- Signs of heat stroke include: hot/red/dry skin, acting confused or disoriented, falling unconscious
- Ensure supervisors and outdoor workers have completed Cal/OSHA heat illness prevention training:
- EHS 702 Heat Illness is a 20-minute online course available through the UC Learning Center, or,
- Supervisors may lead a training using the EH&S Heat Illness Fact Sheet (this option includes a form to document training attendance).
Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 95°F
Pay attention to details in the Work Planning and Site Checklist for requirements when it is over 95° F.
Supervisors must maintain a means of communication and check in on staff often during high heat conditions. Conducting a pre-shift meeting to review high heat procedures, encouraging employees to drink plenty of water and to take cool-down rest breaks every two hours (and/or whenever they feel the need to do so), and limiting strenuous tasks to morning or late afternoon should all be part of the outdoor work plan.
Indoor work with high heat
Across campus, mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, dishrooms, greenhouses, and other spaces with equipment or conditions that create elevated indoor temperatures and humidity can cause heat stress. If employees work alone or for extended periods in such areas, please contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu to schedule an evaluation. EH&S staff will assist in development of a site-specific safety plan to prevent heat illness.
Resources
- See a list of Campus Buildings with A/C
- Visit the National Weather Service website to monitor heat advisories and warnings during heat waves