When the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit, Supervisors (e.g., Deans, Department Chairs, Directors, and Managers) are encouraged to complete the IHIPP Work Planning and Site Checklist to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to prevent employee heat-related illness in indoor workspaces.

Supervisors can protect employees from indoor heat illness by ensuring the following:

• Access to Clean Drinking Water
  • Provide access to potable water that is fresh, suitably cool, free of charge, and located as close as possible to work areas and cool-down areas. Ensure that water fountains and bottle-filling stations are working and accessible. 
     
• Access to Cool-Down Areas
  • For indoor workplaces, provide access to at least one cool-down area that must be kept at a temperature below 82°F. Cool-down areas must be blocked from direct sunlight, large enough to accommodate the number of workers on rest breaks so they can sit comfortably without touching each other, and as close as possible to the work areas. For indoor workplaces, the cool-down areas must be kept at less than 82°F and shielded from other high-radiant heat sources.

• Supervisors should confirm that existing engineering controls, such as forced-ventilation equipment (e.g., HVAC systems and portable fans), are fully operational and available.
  • To request maintenance services related to indoor heat prevention, please submit a BIM-Genie work order to Building & Grounds describing the specific service request and Cc. [email protected].
     
• Cool-Down Rest Periods

  • Encourage workers to take preventative cool-down rest periods. Allow workers who ask for a cool-down rest period to take one for at least 5 minutes. Monitor workers taking such rest periods for symptoms of heat-related illness.

    Steps for cool-down rest periods include:

    • Monitoring workers and asking them if they are experiencing heat illness symptoms.
    • Encouraging affected workers to stay in the shade.
    • Resting and not being allowed to work until signs or symptoms of heat illness have abated.
    • If heat exhaustion/stroke is present, the supervisor will contact CCSF District Police by calling (415) 239-3200, (415) 279-9001, or by calling 911.
       
• Assessment and Control Measures
  • Building & Grounds engineers who are assigned to the Campus and Centers are equipped with an approved thermometer for measuring indoor temperatures. Supervisors should request an engineer to measure indoor temperatures, and the supervisor shall record the measured temperature whenever the temperature or heat index reaches 87°F (or temperature reaches 82°F for workers working in clothing that restricts heat removal or high-radiant-heat areas). Implement control measures to keep workers safe. Feasible engineering controls must be implemented first. 
    
    According to the California Code of Regulations, Title 8 (T8CCR), section 3396, examples of engineering controls that may be effective at minimizing the risk of heat illness in a particular work area include, but are not limited to: isolation of hot processes, isolation of employees from sources of heat, air conditioning, cooling fans, cooling mist fans, evaporative coolers (also called swamp coolers), natural ventilation where the outdoor temperature or heat index is lower than the indoor temperature or heat index, local exhaust ventilation, shielding from a radiant heat source, and insulation of hot surfaces.
     
• Weather Monitoring Resources
  • Monitoring the weather, temperature and heat index. Weather information may be found by going to the following websites: National Weather Service, Weather Underground, or OSHA Heat Index. There are official smartphone apps also available for these services.
     
• Emergency Response Procedures
  • Provide first aid or emergency response to workers showing signs or symptoms of heat illness, including contacting emergency medical services. Contact CCSF District Police by calling (415) 239-3200, (415) 279-9001, or by calling 911.
  • Information on Heat-related Illnesses and First Aid, including a chart of symptoms can be found on the OSHA website.  
     
• Acclimatization (Important for new employees and newly assigned employees)
  • Supervisors shall closely observe new workers and newly assigned workers working in hot areas during a 14-day acclimatization period and all workers working during a heat wave.
  • According to the California Code of Regulations, Title 8 (T8CCR), section 3396, a “Heat wave” means any day in which the predicted high outdoor temperature for the day will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least ten degrees Fahrenheit greater than the average high daily outdoor temperature for the preceding five days.
     
• Training
  • Providing training to employees about indoor heat illness prevention:
    • Site-specific training shall be provided to employees (such as at a pre-shift meeting or safety tailgate). This training should include a review of the items in the IHIPP Work Planning and Site Checklist , a review of the Heat Illness Prevention (HIP) and Response Fact Sheet, and should include information about the signs and symptoms of heat illness, access to water and cool down areas, responding to emergencies, and monitoring employees.