Sunday, June 09, 2024
Temperatures are rising across the country and a heat wave is coming. Several heat-related deaths have already happened this year in the United States. Over the past nine years, we've implemented a heat illness prevention plan and policy. We can work efficiently and safely in high heat if we understand it, apply it, and help each other out. When the forecast temperature goes over 80 degrees or employees are working in temperatures over 80 degrees, it kicks in. It's important for superintendents, project managers, and directors to keep track of the forecast so they're prepared.
Drinking water is the best way to avoid heat illness, but it's not the only thing you need to know. Superintendents and Project Managers should read Heat Illness and Prevention this week and make sure you're aware of the requirements. Make sure everyone on your crew visits elightinformation.com this week and reads part 44 on the SHEP page and a little bit of section 44 in the JHA briefing every day. Make sure everyone understands the policies and procedures so that we can all stay safe.
There has to be enough water on site so that everyone has two bottles of water for 10 hours a day for two days. This means if you have 5 personnel on the project, you need to have stored on the project: 5 people x 2 bottles x 10 hours x 2 days= 200 bottles of water at all times on the project. You have to store it so it doesn't get direct sunlight. So there's always the minimum amount of water on hand, it needs to be replenished constantly. As the employees use the water, you'll also need ice and coolers to keep it cool. Employees should have easy access to chilled water by moving it from storage to an area near them. During stretch and flex, employees should drink one bottle of water with a squencher in it to make sure their electrolytes are replenished before the shift begins.
The supervisor must inventory the bottled water every day and put it on their report. In order to track the average water consumption, the superintendent, PM and Corporate Safety Department need an inventory of the water, how much it's received, and the people on site. They compare the inventory of water with the people on site and make sure 2 bottles of water are used on average per hour, per person. Every time an employee drinks water, they need to mark their pretask cards. Supervisors should check employees' pretask cards hourly and remind them to drink water. It's best to drink half a bottle every 15 minutes. We should all work hard and take pride in our work and go home after every shift. Watch out for each other and remind each other to follow the plan, drink water and if you see someone that seems distressed, over heated, or having issues, say something right away. Time is of the essence when it comes to heat illnesses.
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