Providing Cold Drinking Water for Hot Work

Providing Cold Drinking Water for Hot Work

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MODEL SAFE WORK PROCEDURE:

Providing Cold Drinking Water for Hot Work

THE PROBLEM: Work in extreme heat can lead to a variety of heat-related illnesses, including deadly heat stroke. Failure to protect your own workers from these ailments can result not only in fatalities and serious injuries but OSHA violations under the so called General Duty Clause, which requires employers to safeguard employees from “recognized hazards” not specifically addressed in an OSHA standard.

HOW TOOL HELPS SOLVE THE PROBLEM: Implementing safe work procedures for work involving exposure to extreme heat is one of the most effective measures you can use to protect workers from heat stress.Here’s a Model Safe Work Procedure for ensuring workers engaged in hot work are furnished a ready supply of cold drinking water. The Model is based on a sample procedure from Cal-OSHA. Unlike federal OSHA, Cal-OSHA does have a specific heat stress standard that requires, among other things, employers to maintain an ample supply of cold water at the site. Although the procedure tracks California OSHA requirements, it’s an excellent model for employers in other states to adapt for work in extreme heat.

ABC COMPANY PROCEDURES FOR PROVISION OF WATER

Authorized Personnel:The following designated person[s] (Program Administrator Safety Coordinator/Supervisor/Foreman/Field Supervisor/Crew Leader) have authority and responsibility for implementing the provisions of this procedure at this worksite.

Name/Title/Phone Number

1. ______

2.______

3.______

4.______

5.______

  1. All workers whether working individually or in smaller crews, must have access to drinking water.
  1. Drinking water containers of 5 to 10 gallons each) will be brought to the site, so that at least 2 quarts per employee are available at the start of the shift.
  1. Paper cone rims or bags of disposable cups and cup dispensers will be made available to workers and will be kept clean until used.
  1. The water level of all containers will be checked periodically at least [specify, e.g., every 30 or 60 minutes] e.g. every hour, every 30 min), and more frequently when the temperature rises.
  1. Water containers will be refilled with cool water, when the water level within a container drops below 50%. Additional water containers (e.g. 5 gallon bottles) will be carried, to replace water as needed.
  1. Ice will be carried in separate containers, so that when necessary, it will be added to the drinking water to keep it cool.
  1. Water containers will be placed as close as possible to workers to encourage frequent drinking of water. If field terrain or workplace configuration prevents water from being placed as close as possible to the workers, bottled water or personal water containers will be made available so that workers can have drinking water readily accessible.
  1. Water containers will be relocated to follow along with the crew so drinking water will remain readily accessible.
  1. Water containers will be kept in sanitary condition.
  1. At least once a day, workers will be reminded of the location of the water coolers and of the importance of drinking water frequently. When the temperature exceeds or is expected to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, brief ‘tailgate’ meetings will be held each morning to review with employees the importance of drinking water, the number and schedule of water and rest breaks and the signs and symptoms of heat illness.
  1. Audible devices such as whistles or air horns will be used to remind employees to drink water.
  1. When the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit or during a heat wave, the number of water breaks will be increased, and workers will be reminded throughout the work shift to drink water.
  1. During employee training and tailgate meetings, the importance of drinking water frequently will be stressed.