Industrial Hygiene

Note

If someone is experiencing symptoms or signs of heat stroke or other related heat illness call for emergency medical assistance immediately (805.893.3446 for campus police, 911 or 9-911 from a campus phone) and report the incident to UCSB Workers’ Compensation (805.893.4440).

Heat Illness Prevention Program

The Heat Illness Prevention Standard (CCR, Title 8, Section 3395) requires all employers with outdoor worksites to take certain steps to prevent heat related illness. Heat related illness is a serious medical condition that results when the body is unable to cool itself sufficiently through sweating. Both personal and environmental factors can contribute to the likelihood of developing heat related illnesses which includes heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting) and ultimately, heat stroke. The purpose of this program is to teach supervisors and employees how to reduce the risk of heat related illness, and respond properly should heat related illness occur.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors have the primary responsibility of ensuring the health and safety of their employees. Supervisors who have employees with outdoor worksites, or in indoor worksites where heat related illness is likely to occur (kitchens, boiler room, etc.) are responsible for:

  • Ensuring their units comply with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard and the UCSB Heat Illness Prevention Program.
  • Ensuring there is a written Heat Illness Prevention Plan covering all outdoor locations they have responsibility for (customizable worksite specific plan available here [PDF]  [Word]).
  • Developing and implementing procedures to reduce the risk of heat related illness.
  • Being aware of the personal and environmental risk factors that contribute to heat illness.
  • Ensuring employees have access to fresh drinking water and adequate shade to cool down during breaks.
  • Ensuring their employees have received documented heat illness training.
  • Ensuring employees working in hot conditions are accounted for at the end of the work shift.
  • Knowing how to respond to heat related illness.
  • Invoking High Heat and Emergency Response Procedures when required.

EH&S Resources and Services

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has administrative responsibility for the campus Heat Illness Prevention Program and will assist departments and supervisors in meeting their requirements under the program upon request. Specific EH&S Services and Resources are listed below:

Additional Resources

Contact: For questions regarding the Heat Illness Prevention Program contact Jesse Bickley at 805.893.8787 or jesse.bickley@ucsb.edu