500 EM385-1-1 Construction Safety Hazard Awareness for Contractors Sections 1 - 6

6.J Heat/Cold Stress Management.

06.J. General.

Heat/Cold Stress sections in the APP or Project SOH plans, must take into consideration the influence of environmental conditions, workload, and personal factors.

06.J.01

Heat Stress: The APP or Project SOH Plan and individual AHAs must address heat stress under the following working conditions:

1. CONUS and OCONUS locations when hot/dry or hot/humid environments are forecasted;
2. Work in conducted in semi-permeable or impermeable clothing and/or heavy clothing such as arc-rated suits;
3. Work in confined work environment with minimal air movement;
4. Work when heat index is greater than 75º F (24º C) or dry temperature is 75º F with 55% humidity or Wet-Bulb-Glove Temperature (WBGT) exceeds the action level for various exertion levels in Table 2 of the TLV and Action Limit for Heat Stress Exposure in the current ACGIH TLV/BEI booklet;
5. Work around heat-producing equipment, furnaces, boilers, asphalt pots, engines, compressors, etc.

06.J.02 Heat Stress Monitoring Plan (HSMP).

The written HSMP must be incorporated into the APP or Project SOH Plan and must cover the following topics relative to the on-site conditions expected:

1. Training on heat-related illnesses and how it can be prevented and the control measures to be taken;
2. Method used to monitor for heat stress, including standards being utilized and the responsible party for monitoring heat stress;
3. Signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and first aid procedures for each condition;
4. Exacerbation of heat related injury and illness based on various types of clothing, including general work clothing, semi-permeable and non-permeable clothing, arc flash clothing, and other protective clothing which reduces the evaporation rate;
5. The dangers of using drugs and alcohol in hot work environments.

06.J.03

In hot environments as defined above, the following must be required:

2. Tool box training which addresses the requirements in the HSMP, anticipated weather conditions for the day, any heat-related incidents, etc.
3. When possible, work should be scheduled for cooler periods during the day.
4. Implement a buddy system. Workers should not only monitor themselves, but also be alert to changes and the symptoms of their co-workers.
5. Workers who have not previously worked in a hot environment or have had a previous heat-related injury, or are known to be on medication, must acclimatize with a regimen of increasing exposure each day of work.
6. Provide recovery areas where possible, such as air-conditioned enclosures, or shaded areas, with intermittent breaks and water breaks.
7. If a worker is required to wear semi-impermeable or impermeable clothing, then physiological monitoring must include:
• (1) Heart rate monitoring with a standard of a sustained heart rate in excess of 180 beats per minute (bpm) minus the age of the worker in years, recovery heart rate at one minute after a peak work effort is greater than 120 bpm, or
• (2) Monitoring of the core body temperature with a standard of greater than 100.4ºF (38.0ºC) for unacclimatized workers, and 101.3ºF (38.5ºC) for acclimated workers.
• (3) Workers exceeding the above standards are required to have work/rest regimens and fluid replacement schedules.
8. If a worker is wearing permeable clothing:
• (1) Environmental monitoring or physiological monitoring must be conducted and work/rest regimens established.
• (2) Monitoring must be conducted when temperature exceeds 75ºF (24ºC) and 55% humidity.
• (3) Use of a WBGT instrument is preferred, however, if a WBGT instrument is not available, and the WBGT cannot be obtained from local weather stations, then Figure 6-1. the Approximate WBGT Temperature Chart, should be used to approximate the WBGT.
• (4) If Figure 6-1 is used, direct radiant sun exposure, air velocity, temperature, and humidity and adjustment factors for various work clothing should be taken into consideration.
9. Employees exposed to solar radiation with the potential for sunburn, should be encouraged to use sun screen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater, and should wear hats, long sleeve shirts, sunglasses, and other protective attire.
10. Workers who experience heat stress must seek medical attention. Workers who have more than one heat-related episode within a month must have a doctor's written release prior to returning to exposures in a potential heat stress environment.

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