95° + temperatures have hit in the Central Valley. We are updating Heat Illness Prevention Programs to incorporate Covid-19 precautions. In this blog we are focusing on two specific areas: water and shade.
First, I’d like to address water as everyone needs to be consuming adequate fluids, especially when the weather is hot. It’s important to follow personal hygiene and sanitization practices for commonly touched surfaces. Igloo jugs to fill single use cups will need to be monitored and sanitized appropriately. Even the single use water bottles will need to be handled with proper personal hygiene caution. As always, make sure you are providing sufficient quantities of cooled fresh water at 1 quart per person per hour in the workplace.
Preventative recovery rest breaks is the next area to be addressed. Shaded rest areas must be provided. For every two hours worked employees must be provided with a preventative rest period of at least 10 minutes. Employers must take additional measures to be sure that employees can take a break in a shaded area while obeying social distancing of 6 feet.
Employees should be trained to keep 6 feet of social distance during breaks and transportation to prevent infection.
In California, Cal/OSHA will continue to enforce regulations associated with COVID-19 and hazards associated with the workplace including heat illness and other applicable hazards. Please review your Heat Illness Prevention programs with a review of your specific COVID-19 procedures.
Please contact us if we can help you in adjusting your plans accordingly.
