from Safety News, State Compensation Insurance Fund
Cal/OSHA studies of heat-related illnesses and deaths indicate that allowing workers to acclimate to the heat is one of the best defenses against heat-related illnesses and fatalities. The risk of dying from heat illness appears to be especially critical during the first exposure to the high temperatures and for new workers who just begin working in extreme heat as the body needs to adapt gradually to exertions in the heat and humidity. It’s imperative to monitor workers at all times during hot weather and allow those who are new to working in hot weather to gradually adapt to the daily routine.
Letting workers adjust to changes in weather by gradually increasing their heat exposure and physical activity likely reduces the risk of heat-related heat illness prevention data, most people adjust to the weather or acclimate within four-to-14 days of regular work levels.
Raising awareness is also an important key in preventing heat illness. California Heat Illness Prevention Standards require mandatory training for employees and supervisors. Information on acclimatization, encouraging employees to continuously drink water throughout the day, and taking frequent cool-down breaks or preventative recovery periods in the shade, among other actions are included in the mandatory training.
In addition to the requirements outlined in the heat illness prevention regulations (section 3395 of Title 8), employers may consider starting the work day early and pacing work activities for their
workers. Other prevention techniques include increasing the number of water and rest breaks or preventative recovery periods on hot days and encouraging the use of a “buddy system” to
monitor employees in the field.
Employees who work indoors should take the same precautions as those who work outdoors in extreme heat, and follow similar measures under (section 3203 of Title 8) their employers’ Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
Employers with workers near sources of heat or inside buildings with limited cooling capabilities must ensure that work areas with risk of heat illness have been identified and evaluated, and that corrective measures and training have been implemented to protect workers. Cal/OSHA studies show effective reduction of heat illness depends on written procedures, access to water, access to cooler areas, acclimatization and weather monitoring, emergency response and employee and supervisor training.
Roofing (Heat) Hazards
Roofing work using tar, torches, or welding can expose you to heat, burns, and overexertion
that can lead to serious injuries and heat illness.
Dress to protect yourself from heat and burns. Wear light-colored, flameresistant clothing with long sleeves and cuffless long pants. Wear a hard hat, safety boots with a non-slip sole and heel, and leather or heat-resistant gloves. Face shields, side-shielded safety glasses, and goggles can protect your eyes and a respirator can guard against fume exposures.
Check the weather.Working in high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat illness. Do the heaviest work during the coolest part of the day. Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently.
And, take breaks in cool, shaded areas. To prevent fires, clear flammable mate-rial, gases and/or liquids off the roof and have fire extinguishers available. Don’t torch directly onto building materials, flashing, or voids in the roof. Be careful on heavy slopes; walk-behinds can roll away or tip over.Don’t pull a walk-behind backward on roofs that exceed a 4:12 slope.When you set a torch down, turn it off and set it upright on its legs.Don’t hang a torch over the roof edge. When turning off a torch, first turn off the propane fuel tank, then allow the gas in the line to burn off. Stop work 2-3 hours before you leave the job to prevent hot spots or smoldering fires.
Wear a face shield when you add tar chunks or kegs to the tanker truck or kettle. Pump hot tar to a hot lugger tank on the roof and then to a mop cart.Use a hoist line to transport hot tar buckets to the roof, keeping buckets and carts covered until you use or dump the materials.
To prevent electric shock from welding machines, use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and avoid rain or wet areas.And, don’t touch grounded objects such as pipes or scaffolding
while operating the equipment.
In case of an emergency, have a roof escape route, know phone numbers for local fire and medical services, and know first aid procedures for heat illness and severe burns.
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