Heat and Cold Stress Prevention Policy

Purpose
This policy establishes company requirements to prevent heat-related and cold-related illnesses and injuries. Employees may be exposed to temperature extremes while performing job duties indoors or outdoors. The company is committed to protecting employees through hazard recognition, training, engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and emergency response procedures.

Scope
This policy applies to all employees and all work environments where heat or cold exposure may occur, including indoor facilities, outdoor work areas, vehicles, and customer locations. This policy applies year-round, including periods outside typical summer and winter seasons, during normal operations, peak periods, and severe weather conditions.

Definitions
Heat Stress:
A condition caused when the body is unable to adequately cool itself due to environmental heat, humidity, physical exertion, radiant heat, or limited airflow.
Cold Stress:
A condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, increasing the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, or similar conditions.
Acclimatization:
The gradual adjustment of the body to working in hot or cold conditions, reducing the risk of illness.

Responsibilities
Employee Responsibilities
Employees must follow this policy, hydrate appropriately, take required breaks, wear weather-appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment, report symptoms or unsafe conditions immediately, and stop work if symptoms of heat or cold illness occur.

Hazard Recognition
Heat Stress Risk Factors
High temperatures, high humidity, direct sunlight, limited airflow, repetitive lifting or strenuous activity, restrictive clothing or protective equipment, and consecutive days of elevated temperatures increase heat stress risk.
Cold Stress Risk Factors
Low temperatures, wind chill, wet or damp clothing, extended outdoor exposure, reduced dexterity, and early morning or late evening work increase cold stress risk.

Engineering Controls
Heat controls may include air conditioning, vehicle climate systems, fans or ventilation, and shaded work or break areas when available.
Cold controls may include heated indoor areas, heated vehicles or equipment, insulation, and wind protection when feasible.

Administrative Controls and Work Practices
Work schedules and tasks may be adjusted during extreme heat or cold. Additional rest breaks may be required. Weather advisories should be monitored, and workloads may be reduced during severe conditions.

During heat conditions, employees must drink water or electrolyte fluids frequently, approximately one cup every twenty minutes, keep fluids cool when possible, and must not skip breaks.

During cold conditions, employees must take warming breaks, consume warm non-alcoholic fluids, and change wet clothing as soon as possible.

Personal Protective Equipment
Heat-related PPE may include lightweight and breathable clothing, cooling neck wraps, and cooling vests when appropriate.
Cold-related PPE may include insulated gloves, thermal hats, weather-resistant outerwear, and insulated slip resistant steel toe footwear with appropriate traction.

Recognition of Heat- and Cold-Related Illnesses
Heat-related illness symptoms may include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, confusion, slurred speech, hot or dry skin, or loss of consciousness.
Cold-related illness symptoms may include shivering, confusion, slowed movement, numbness, pale or waxy skin, and loss of coordination.
Any unusual symptom during work must be treated as a potential heat- or cold-related illness.


First Aid and Emergency Response
When symptoms are observed, work must stop immediately. The affected employee must be moved to a cooler or warmer location, active cooling or warming must begin, excess or wet clothing must be removed as appropriate, and the employee must not be left alone.
Emergency medical services must be contacted immediately if symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, unconsciousness, or loss of coordination. First aid must continue until help arrives.

Medical Treatment and Return to Work
Employees who receive medical treatment for heat- or cold-related illness must provide written medical clearance before returning to full duty. Modified duty may be required based on medical guidance.