Long Beach Community College District is committed to protecting
employees from heat-related injuries and illnesses. LBCC’s Heat
Illness Prevention Program covers outdoor work and indoor work
areas where employees may be exposed to elevated temperatures,
humidity, radiant heat, physical exertion, or protective clothing
that restricts heat removal.
Heat illness is
preventable; Employees working in hot conditions must have
access to:
Fresh, suitably cool drinking water at no cost
Shade or an appropriate indoor cool-down area
Preventative cool-down rests when needed
Heat illness prevention training
Acclimatization and additional monitoring when newly assigned
to hot work
Reliable communication and emergency assistance
Employees may use these
protections and report heat-related hazards without
retaliation.
What employees should
do:
Drink small amounts of water frequently; do not wait until
you are thirsty.
Take a preventative cool-down rest whenever you feel the
need.
Immediately report any signs or symptoms of heat illness in
yourself or a coworker to your supervisor.
Follow required work-rest schedules, monitoring procedures,
and supervisor instructions.
Watch coworkers for changes in coordination, speech,
behavior, alertness, or work performance.
Do not work alone when a buddy system or other monitoring
method is required.
Heat illness can progress
quickly. Heat exhaustion may include:
Headache, nausea, or dizziness
Weakness, irritability, or unusual fatigue
Heavy sweating and thirst
Elevated body temperature
Reduced urine output
Stop work, move to a cool
area, begin cooling, and notify a supervisor. Give small sips of
cool water only if the person is fully alert and able to
swallow.
Heat stroke is a medical
emergency. Warning signs may include:
Confusion or unusual behavior
Slurred speech or staggering
Vomiting or seizures
Loss of consciousness
Very high body temperature
If heat stroke or another
severe heat illness is suspected:
Call 911 immediately.
Move the employee to shade or a cooler area.
Begin rapid cooling with cool water, cold wet towels, or
another effective method.
Remove unnecessary outer clothing and personal protective
equipment.
Stay with the employee until emergency responders arrive.
Do not send the employee home, allow them to drive, or leave
them alone.
Provide responders with the campus, building, room, or
outdoor location; the nearest entrance; and access instructions.
Do not give anything by mouth to a person who is confused,
unconscious, vomiting, or unable to swallow safely.
Important Contact
Information
Emergency: 911
Campus Safety, Non-emergency: 562-938-4910 or
562-435-6711
Risk Management and Environmental Health &
Safety: riskmanagement@lbcc.edu 562-938-4030
Program documents and
Resources
For questions about heat illness prevention, training, workplace
conditions, or required controls, contact Risk Management
and Environmental Health & Safety.