Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) has issued an emergency/temporary rule that builds upon and clarifies worker protections against the hazards of high and extreme heat in the workplace. The rule utilizes the heat index, which is often called the “feels like” temperature in weather reports and is a measure of how the relative humidity combined with the air temperature are felt by the human body. Much of the requirements are already in practice at Linfield. This emergency/temporary rule requires Linfield to do the following:
- Provide heat illness awareness training to supervisors and employees by Aug. 1, 2021.
- All employees will see an email from Vector Solutions (formerly Safe Colleges) with a link to the required heat illness awareness training. The training takes approximately 15 minutes. Please complete this training by Aug. 1st.
- When the heat index is equal to or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Provide access to shade and adequate water supply.
- The rule specifies that shade must be of an adequate area to hold all those that need to use it, and the drinking water is cool or cold and of an adequate supply for the workforce.
- When the heat index is equal to or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit:
- Ensure employees and supervisors are in communication so heat concerns can be reported.
- Ensure employees are observed for signs and symptoms of heat illness and monitored to determine if medical attention is necessary. Be sure to look in on those that work by themselves.
- Provide a cool-down rest period in the shade of ten minutes for every two hours of work.
- Develop and implement an emergency medical plan and practices to gradually adapt employees to working in the heat.
Remember that Linfield University has buildings and workspaces that are available during times of increased temperature. Outdoor workers should utilize the available shade or air conditioned buildings for breaks to cool down. Indoor workers should communicate with their immediate supervisor to arrange relocating workspaces to a cooler location on campus when temperatures are high in their area.
Buildings on the McMinnville campus that are air conditioned and available are Nicholson Library (laptops are available for checkout also), Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium in Melrose Hall, Facilities Services, T.J. Day, Renshaw, Withnell Commons and Dillin. On the Portland campus, buildings that are air conditioned are Buildings 2, 6 and 7.
Additional resources on high and extreme heat:
- Heat Index safety app – NIOSH
- Heat Safety Tips and Resources – Nation Weather Service
- Extreme Heat Q&A – Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
- Protect Workers from Heat Stress infographic – CDC
- Heat Illness Quick Facts – Oregon OSHA
