Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

WHS Heat Stress Management Standard Operating Procedure

1.0 PURPOSE

The Heat Stress Management SOP is intended to describe measures which will reduce the probability of workers experiencing a heat related disorder.

2.0 SCOPE

The Heat Stress Management SOP is applicable to all WRS project sites. Its implementation is mandatory when workers wearing impermeable personal protective equipment are exposed to ambient air temperatures above 70°F.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

Stress can contribute significantly to accidents or harm workers in other ways.

The term "stress" denotes the physical (gravity, mechanical force, heat, cold, pathogens, injury) and psychological (fear, anxiety, crises, joy) forces that are experienced by individuals.

They body’s response to stress occurs in three stages:

a. Alarm Reaction - The body recognizes the stress and the pituitary-adreno-cortical system responds by increasing the heart rate and blood sugar level, decreasing digestive activity and dilating the pupils.

b. Adaptive Stage - The body repairs the effect of stimulation and stress symptoms disappear.

c. Exhaustion Stage - The body can no longer adapt to stress and the individual may develop emotional disturbances and cardiovascular and renal diseases.

The most common types of stress that affect remediation persoimel are heat stress and cold stress. Heat and cold stress can be the most serious hazards an employee encounters at hazardous waste sites.

Heat Stress usually is a result of protective clothing decreasing natural body ventilation, although it may occur at any time work is being performed at elevated temperatures.

If the body’s physiological processes fail to maintain a normal body temperature because of excessive heat, a number of physical reactions can occur ranging from mild (such as fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and decreased concentration, dexterity, or movement) to fatal. Because heat stress is one of the most common and potentially serious illnesses at hazardous waste sites, regular monitoring and other preventative measures are vital.

Site workers must learn to recognize and treat various forms of heat stress.

4.0 RESPONSroiLITIES

The Project Manager/ Supervisor is responsible for directing work in accordance with this procedure when implementation conditions are met. The PM is also responsible for providing resources necessary for implementation of the procedure.

The Site Health and Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring and facilitating employee compliance with the procedure. The SHSO is responsible for instructing employees in the recognition and control of heat related illnessess.

5.0 PROCEDURE

WKS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc

NYC-WTC_000145117