645 Heat Injury and Illness Prevention: Employee

Training and Communication

Initial Employee Training

Training must be provided in a language and at a literacy level that employees understand, and they must have the chance to ask questions to make sure everything is clear. All employees must complete initial training on the following topics before starting work in a hot environment.

1. Acclimatization: Understanding its purpose, methods, importance, and influencing factors
2. Recognition: Identifying signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
3. Progression: Understanding how heat illness can escalate if untreated
4. Health Effects: Knowing potential impacts of heat illness on health
5. Emergency Response: Performing first aid and following emergency procedures for heat-related illnesses
6. Buddy System and Reporting: Understanding the importance of the buddy system and promptly report any heat illness symptoms in yourself or others to a supervisor
7. Risk Factors: Being aware of environmental, workplace, and personal risk factors for heat illness, and recognizing how exertion, clothing, and PPE increase heat stress on the body
8. Employer Responsibilities: Familiarizing yourself with employer procedures, including the provision of water, shaded areas, rest periods, and access to first aid
9. Employee Rights: Knowing your rights to report issues and exercise protections under this standard without fear of retaliation or harassment
10. Hydration Best Practices: Following guidelines for regular fluid intake
11. Heat Illness Response: Knowing your employer's steps for treating workers exhibiting signs of heat illness
12. Contacting Emergency Medical Services: Understanding how to contact EMS and, if needed, transport an employee to meet emergency responders
13. Site Access for Responders: Ensuring clear, precise directions to the worksite are available and designating a person to activate emergency protocols
14. Hazard Analysis Checklist: Using checklist or task hazard analysis to identify heat-related risks
15. PPE Heat Mitigation: Learning and applying strategies to reduce heat stress, especially when wearing PPE

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.