M10.5 Occupational Safety and Health Organization

The California Department of Occupational Health and Safety 

• Setting and enforcing standards

• Providing outreach, education, and assistance

• Issuing permits, licenses, certifications,

• registrations, and approvals

Mission Statement: protects and improves the health and safety of working men and women in California and the safety of passengers riding on elevators, amusement rides, and tramways – through the following activities:

Heat Illness Prevention Program 

I chose to read about the heat illness prevention program because I am a first-generation Mexican-American and my parents and grandparents worked in agriculture when they first arrived to the United States.  

Cal/OSHA provides pamphlets and resources so workers know the symptoms and prevention strategies to heat illness. Addtitonally there are resources listed to report a health and safety complaint. 

The heat illness prevention program provides four guidelines for workers exposed to the overwhelming summer heat in California.

The guidelines are as follows:

1. Training
   Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
2. Water
   Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, or four 8 ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
3. Shade
   Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
4. Planning
   Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.