Tips to Prevent Heat Illness During Period of High Heat

Western Growers encourages all members to review high heat advisories and take steps to prevent heat illness.

Cal/OSHA suggests employers with outdoor workers do the following to prevent heat illness:

• Plan – Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.
• Training – Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.
• Water – Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.
• Shade – Provide shade when temperatures exceed 80˚ F or when workers request it. Shade must be available even when temperatures do not exceed 80 degrees. Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
• Space – Allow enough space and time for employees to take breaks as needed in adequate shade while also maintaining a safe distance from one another; for many employers this will require staggered breaks or increased shaded break areas, or both.
• Cleanse – Extra infection prevention measures should be in place such as disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, including the water and restroom facilities.
• Face Coverings – Provide cloth face coverings or allow workers to use their own; they should be removed in outdoor high heat conditions to help prevent overheating as long as physical distancing can be maintained.

For more information, please contact Jason Resnick at jresnick@wga.com or 949-885-2253.