Heat Illness Prevention

Welcome to the LMU EHS heat illness prevention information page! Below you will find information on safety tips, the LMU heat illness prevention training course (and who is required to take it), supervisor training content, Cal/OSHA informational guides, and injury reporting protocol.

*For questions regarding the heat illness prevention program and training, please contact Roberto Aguirre at roberto.aguirre@lmu.edu.

  • What is Heat Illness?

    Heat illness is a medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load. It includes heat rash, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. 

    Recognizing and Treating the Most Common Heat Illnesses

    Illness

    Signs & Symptoms

    Treatment

    Heat Rash

    Itching/irritation of the skin from clogged sweat glands

    Keep affected area dry, and apply powder if necessary to absorb moisture

    Heat Cramps

    Painful spasms in arms, legs, abdomen; hot, moist skin

    Drink fluids, massage cramped areas, rest in shade

    Heat Exhaustion

    Heavy sweating; intense thirst; pale and cool skin; rapid pulse; fatigue/weakness; nausea and vomiting; headache; blurred vision; fainting

    Move to a cool shaded area, rest with legs elevated, loosen clothing, drink plenty of fluids

    Heat Stroke

    Very high body temp; lack of sweating; hot, red and dry skin; headache; dizziness; weakness; rapid pulse

    • Dial 911 and provide emergency responders with the exact location of the worksite followed by a call to Campus Safety (310.338.2893 or x82893).
    • Escort affected employee to shade.
    • Provide affected employee with drinking water (if conscious).
    • Apply cool, wet towels to the affected employee or soak their clothing in water.
    • Ensure affected employee is in direct path of ventilation or fan.

    Environmental Risk Factors

    Environmental Risk Factors are working conditions that create the possibility that heat illness could occur, including air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat from the sun and other sources, conductive heat sources such as the ground, air movement, workload severity and duration, protective clothing and personal protective equipment worn by employees. Refer to the Heat Index Chart below for a description of how these factors can affect an individual’s response to heat.

     

    Personal Risk Factors

    Personal risk factors include an individual's age, weight, health, water consumption, alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and use of prescription medications that affect the body's water retention or other physiological responses to heat. A history of prior heat-related illness and ability to acclimatize can also affect an individual’s susceptibility.

    Safety Tips

    • Water - Employees shall be given access to potable water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool, and free of charge. Employees should be trained and encouraged to frequently consume water during hot weather activities. Water shall be:
      • Located as close to the worksite as is practical;
      • Provided at the beginning of the shift or replenished throughout the shift if not plumbed;
      • Provided in sufficient quantities to accommodate each employee a minimum of one quart per hour (four cups) for the entire shift.
    • Shade - Shade shall be provided to employees to accommodate rest periods. Shade shall be:
      • Provided at all times that employees are present
      • Open to the air or provided with a means of ventilation/cooling
      • Able to accommodate all employees on a rest period or on a meal
      • Located as close as is practical to the worksite
    • Buddy System - While not required, establishing a “buddy system” at the work site ensures that each worker is monitored for signs and symptoms of heat illness. 
    • Shift Change - When temperatures are excessive, managers and/or supervisors should time shifts to coincide with cooler parts of the day. Consider starting and/or ending shifts early and alternate tasks when possible.
    • Monitoring the Weather - Prior to each workday, supervisors will monitor the weather via either the National Weather Service, the Weather Channel, AccuWeather, or a local broadcast station.
    • Worker Acclimatization - Supervisors of new employees and those not accustomed to working in the heat must lessen the workload and intensity for the first two weeks. Acclimatization must be gradual and deliberate.
  • Emergency Response

    Minor Heat Illness

    If an employee is experiencing symptoms of minor heat illness, the following actions shall be taken:

    • Move affected employee to shade
    • Provide affected employee with water
    • Instruct employee to rest in shade until any and all symptoms of heat illness are abated
    • Provide employee with cool compress, if mecessary
    • Report incident to Campus Safety (310.338.2893 or x82893).
    • Never leave affected employee unattended.

    Severe Heat Illness

    If an employee is experiencing symptoms of severe heat illness, the following action shall be taken:

    • Dial 911 and provide emergency responders/Campus Safety (310.338.2893 or x82893), with the exact location of the worksite
    • Escort affected employee to shade. If co-workers are available, have them assist the affected employee while emergency responders are being contacted.
    • Provide affected employee with drinking water (only if conscious).
    • Apply cool, wet towels to the affected employee or soak their clothing in water
    • Ensure affected employee is in direct path of ventilation or fan
    • Never leave affected employee unattended.
  • Injury & Illness Reporting Protocol

    If It's an Emergency: 

    • Dial 9-1-1
    • Immediately after, call Campus Safety (310.338.2893 or x222) or LLS Safety and Security (213.736.1121) so they may escort LAFD/paramedics to the incident site. 

    Please Note: 

    • Students and employees should report any unsafe condition(s) to their supervisors and to Campus Safety.
    • LMU Campus Safety Services (CSS) or LLS Safety & Security should be contacted in case of accident/injury/illness/related incidents. 
    • HR liaison Tracie Montgomery may be reached at Tracie.Montgomery@lmu.edu or 310.3382723.
  • Heat Illness Prevention Program and Training

    Please click here for the LMU heat illness prevention training! For a copy of the LMU EHS Heat Illness Prevention Program, please click here!