Indoor Heat Illness Prevention

Heat illness can occur in indoor areas where temperatures reach or exceed 82°F. Heat may be due to mechanical ventilation issues, radiant heat from equipment, or when outdoor temperatures are high. Examples of impacted areas include mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, dishrooms, cooklines, greenhouses, steam tunnels and other spaces - on very hot days many campus buildings, offices and classrooms may also become hot.

Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plans

Each building must create an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan using the Worksite Specific Work Planning and Site ChecklistContact the building manager for a copy of the plan. This plan addresses elevated indoor temperature impacts during heatwaves and mechanical ventilation failures. Departments may create their own plans for their spaces if desired, but should consult the building manager.

When work is necessary in isolated rooms experiencing elevated temperatures, e.g. in mechanical rooms, boiler rooms, warm rooms (for research) etc., individual heat illness prevention plans should be prepared for those spaces. Use the Worksite Specific Work Planning and Site Checklist (“Required for Indoor Work”). Workers must take Heat Illness Prevention Trainingprior to commencing work.

Supervisors and Managers can protect employees from indoor heat illness by:

1. Developing and implementing an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan for their work areas that are expected to exceed 82°F. This is accomplished by completing the Worksite Specific Work Planning and Site Checklist. A copy of the plan must be available at or near the worksite.

2. Ensuring completion of heat illness prevention training via one of the following options:

   1. Employees must complete EHS 702 Heat Illness, a 20-minute online course available through the UC Learning Center.

   2. Or Employees must attend a supervisor-led discussion using the EH&S Heat Illness Fact Sheet and Worksite Specific Work Planning and Site Checklist (This option includes a form to document training attendance). This training includes a review of the items in the Prevention Plan, as well as information about the signs and symptoms of heat illness, access to water and cool down areas, responding to emergencies, and monitoring employees.

3. Providing access to reasonably cool, clean, drinking water, enough to provide each employee with up to 4 cups per hour.

4. Providing rest periods and access to cool-down areas that are maintained below 82°F

5. Monitoring employees for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and initiating first aid measures or emergency response.

6. Monitoring the weather, temperature and heat index. Supervisors can find weather information at Weatherunderground.com, or National Weather Service. A smartphone application such as the Heat Index app is also available.

7. Identifying indoor work locations with high radiant heat, or locations subject to high temperatures based on weather conditions. Implement the heat illness prevention controls in these locations.

Many UC Berkeley buildings do not have air conditioning and can be as hot as outside temperatures. If you need to seek refuge from heat, the following buildings are air conditioned and have seating in lobbies during normal operating hours.