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The is a measure that combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine how hot it feels to the human body. Often referred to as the "feels-like" temperature, the Heat Index is crucial for understanding heat-related risks, especially during summer months. High humidity reduces the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating, which can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. The NWS uses the Heat Index to issue advisories, watches, and warnings to help the public take appropriate precautions. When the Heat Index rises above 90°F (32°C), heat-related health risks increase significantly, making it important to stay hydrated, seek shade, and avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours. 

Supervisors or their designees should complete the Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Checklist before conducting or overseeing operations in environments that may subject personnel to heat stress related conditions (> 82°F). The checklist will ensure employees subject to working in indoor environments over 82°F have access: to cool drinking water; cool-down areas; time to acclimate; training; and the Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP).

Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Supervisor Checklist (PDF)

Supervisors or their designees should complete the Supervisor's Daily Checklist before conducting or overseeing operations in environments that may subject personnel to heat stress related conditions (> 80°F). The checklist can be found in the appendix of the program and will help ensure that all safety factors such as shade, drinking water etc. are satisfied before work is started. 

Heat Illness Supervisor Checklist (PDF)

When temperatures reach 95°F and above, using a pre-shift attendance roster becomes a critical tool in documenting compliance with heat illness prevention protocols. This roster serves as a record that all employees have been accounted for and have received a pre-shift safety briefing specifically addressing the risks associated with working in high heat conditions. It helps verify that workers have been reminded about access to shade, water, rest breaks, and the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Additionally, it ensures that supervisors are aware of each employee’s presence and condition before work begins, facilitating early identification of potential heat stress risks and promoting

Heat Illness Pre-Shift Employee Attendance Roster (PDF)

To determine the presence of a statutory Heat Wave as defined by Cal/OSHA, the following instructions should be followed. A statutory Heat Wave is defined as any day in which the predicted high temperature for the day will be at least 80 ^oF and at least 10 ^oF higher than the average high temperature in the preceding five days.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Use the button on the sidebar of this page to download the current daily historical data from the on-campus weather station or view current daily historical data. EH&S recommends downloading the Supervisor's Daily Checklist above which includes an Heat Wave Determination Checklist and detailed instructions.

• Locate column L which contains the maximum recorded air temperatures and average the last 5 entries in that column.
• Compare the calculated average to the forecasted daily temperature listed in the weather panel above.
• If the forecasted temperature is 80^oF or higher and 10^oF or higher than the average you calculated, Heat Wave conditions exist and necessary precautions and procedures are to be put in effect.

What is Required?

When a statutory Heat Wave has been triggered, all exposed employees shall be closely observed by a supervisor, lead or designee. The following options may be used to meet the requirement of "Close Observation":

• Use of the Buddy System. Employees work in groups of 2 or more and stay within sight and hearing of each other or
• Visual Observation of employees by a Supervisor, Lead or designee. No more than 20 employees per Supervisor, Lead or designee or
• Two way communication by electronic device (e.g.  radio, cell phone, etc.). Employees must be contacted every 15 minutes to verify that they are OK (e.g. can count backwards from 10 to 1).