Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

WXS Heat Stress Management Standard Operating Procedure

a. Symptoms - Mild red rash, especially in areas of body in contact with protective gear. b. Treatment - Decrease the amoimt of time in protective gear and provide powder to help absorb moisture and decrease chafing.

5.2 Heat Stress Prevention Measures

What follows is a list of heat stress prevention measures which reduce the risk of an employee experiencing a heat related disorder. They are in no particular order. Successful heat stress prevention will require the implementation of all the control measures listed to varying degrees. No single control measure will prove to be either effective nor efficient for a given project site.

5.2.1 Fluid Replacement

Have workers drink 16 ounces of water before beginning work, such as in the morning or after lunch. Provide disposable, four ounce cups and water that is maintained at 50 to 60®F. Urge workers to drink one to two gallons per day. To assist employees track their own fluid replacement, provide individual water coolers/ containers, fill the containers each day, and check consumption at the end of the day. The use of paper cups and a single cooler for the entire job site are difficult for both supervisors and employees to track. Provide cool, preferably air-conditioned, area for rest breaks. Discourage the use of alcohol in nonworking hours and discourage the intake of coffee during working hours. Monitor for signs of heat stress.

Use of electrolyte containing fluids (e.g., Gatorade) is more important for unacclimatized workers than acclimatized workers.

5.2.2 Acclimate Crew Members

Acclimatization is the process by which the body adapts to heat stress. Changes include increased sweating efficiency (earlier onset of sweating, increased sweat production, lower electrolyte loss) and stabilized blood circulation (less likelihood of blackout, dizziness, spots, etc.) It occurs with brief (—100 minutes) daily exposures to heat in 5 -7 days. Benefits of acclimatization are typically lost with no heat exposure for a week or more.

5.2.3 Reduce Heat Load (both environmental and metabolic)

Provide cooling devices to aid body cooling (i.e., Cool Vests). These devices, however, add weight, and their use should be balanced against worker efficiency.

Evaporative cooling is aided by clothing which wicks away perspiration fi-om the skin. Long cotton underwear acts as a wick to help absorb moisture and protect the skin from direct contact with heat-absorbing protective clothing. However, long cotton underwear is of no use and can aggravate heat stress symptoms once it becomes soaked with perspiration.

Install mobile showers and/or hose-down facilities to reduce body temperature and cool protective clothing.

In hot weather, conduct field activities in the early morning or evening.

WSS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc

NYC-WTC_000145119