Note

If someone is experiencing symptoms or signs of heat stroke or other related heat illness call for emergency medical assistance immediately, 911 or (805) 893-3446 for police dispatch on UCSB’s main campus, and report the incident to UCSB Workers’ Compensation, (805) 893-4440.

 

Cal/OSHA has two Heat Illness Prevention Standards that may apply to UCSB employees depending on the environment(s) in which they work (indoor vs outdoor). Heat-related illness is a serious medical condition that results when the body is unable to cool itself sufficiently through sweating. Both personal and environmental factors can contribute to the likelihood of developing heat-related illnesses which include heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and ultimately, heat stroke. The purpose of this program is to teach campus personnel how to reduce the risk of heat-related illness, and respond properly should heat-related illness occur. Please review the requirements and resources below to determine if one or both of these regulations apply to you or your employees.

Indoor Work Areas

CCR, Title 8, Section 3396 defines “Indoor” as a space that is under a ceiling or overhead covering that restricts airflow and is enclosed along its entire perimeter by walls, doors, windows, dividers, or other physical barriers that restrict airflow, whether open or closed. All work areas that do not meet the definition of “Indoor” are considered “Outdoor” and covered by the outdoor requirements listed below. Examples of indoor work areas on campus include offices, lobbies, meeting rooms, classrooms, residence halls, commercial spaces, kitchens and other dining facilities, greenhouses, laboratories, utility rooms, laundry facilities, and gyms.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors have the primary responsibility of ensuring the health and safety of their employees. Supervisors of employees who are exposed to indoor temperatures equal to or greater than 82F for more than 15 minutes during any 60-minute period or above 95F for any period of time are responsible for ensuring:

  • They and their employees have completed documented Heat Illness Prevention training (available on the UC Learning Center);
  • There is an accurate and up-to-date Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan ( PDF | Word ) covering their employees, their employees have been trained on it, that training has been documented, and the plan has been implemented.

If you are unsure whether or not the temperatures of indoor spaces under your purview equal or exceed 82F, please contact EH&S Industrial Hygiene (ehs-ih@ucsb.edu) for a Heat Illness Risk Assessment.

EH&S Indoor Resources and Services

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has administrative responsibility for the campus Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Program and will assist departments and supervisors in meeting their requirements under the program upon request. Specific EH&S Services and Resources are listed below:

  • Heat Illness Prevention Training (covers both Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness requirements and is available online through the UC Learning Center)
  • UCSB Campus Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan ( PDF | Word )
  • UCSB Campus Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan (Spanish) ( PDF | Word )
  • Conducting Indoor Heat Illness Assessments and monitoring
  • Assisting with the development of Indoor and Heat Illness Plans
  • Performing audits of local heat illness procedures

Outdoor Work Areas

CCR, Title 8, Section 3395 requires all employers with outdoor work areas to take certain steps to prevent heat-related illness. Cal/OSHA considers all areas that do not meet the definition of “Indoor” above to be outdoor work areas. Examples of outdoor work areas on campus include loading docks, roofs, roads, parking lots, sidewalks, landscaped areas, sports fields, pools, agricultural and restoration areas, storage yards, utility areas, and construction sites.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors have the primary responsibility of ensuring the health and safety of their employees. Supervisors of employees who perform outdoor work are responsible for ensuring:

  • They and their employees have completed documented Heat Illness Prevention training (available on the the UC Learning Center);
  • There is an appropriate and up-to-date Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan covering their employees, either Main Campus ( PDF | Word ) or Worksite Specific ( PDF | Word ), their employees have been trained on it, that training has been documented, and the plan has been implemented.

EH&S Outdoor Resources and Services

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has administrative responsibility for the campus Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Program and will assist departments and supervisors in meeting their requirements under the program upon request. Specific EH&S Services and Resources are listed below:

Additional Resources

For questions regarding the Heat Illness Prevention Program contact the Industrial Hygiene Program at ehs-ih@ucsb.edu.