Heat Stress Management Program (HSMP)
Scope and Purpose
Working in hot environments poses significant risks, including heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and even heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. To effectively protect workers, employers are required to develop and implement a written Heat Stress Management Program (HSMP) tailored to your specific worksite. This program is essential whenever workers are exposed to temperatures at or above the initial heat‐stress trigger (70 WBGT, ~80 °F Heat Index).
Employer Responsibilities
- Written Program: Create a site-specific written heat-stress management program that covers both supervisory and non-supervisory staff.
- Jobsite Checklist: Maintain a checklist of the heat-stress factors most likely to occur at each jobsite.
- Preseason and Refresher Training:
- Give initial training before workers begin any hot-season tasks.
- During heat waves or power outages, issue brief refresher reminders and review acclimatization procedures.
- Supportive Safety Culture- Encourage workers to:
- Recognize and report early symptoms of heat illness.
- Stop work if they feel unwell.
- Clear, Accessible Training:
- Train everyone according to the written program, using language and formats they understand.
- Ensure all job procedures match what is taught in training.
- Training Records: Keep up-to-date records demonstrating that required training has been completed.
- Emergency Provisions: Provide on-site resources for heat emergencies—for example, towels, sprays, fans, water-immersion tubs, and first-aid materials.
Supportive safety culture encourages workers to recognize and report early symptoms of heat illness.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-1. Which of the following best explains how a supportive safety culture helps prevent heat illness?
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