Law Department notice on WTC document preservation, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

WRS Heat Straus Management Standard Operating Procedure

Reduce metabolic heat load by designing tasks such that employee exertion is kept to a minimum

Reduce environmental heat loads by reducing radiant heat exposure (sunshine). Working in shaded areas and taking breaks in shaded areas will reduce heat loads due to radiant heat.

5.2.4 Employee Rotation

In hot weather, rotate shifts of workers wearing impervious clothing. On project sites with large crews, stagger heat stress breaks so that tasks are not completely shut down. On sites with small crew sizes this may not be possible due to the “buddy system” rule.

5.2.5 Dry Clothing and Personal Hygiene

Good hygienic standards must be maintained by frequent changes of clothing and showering. Clothing should be permitted to dry during rest periods. Persons who notice skin problems should immediately consult medical personnel.

52.6 Avoid Diuretics and Stimulants

Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages which cause loss of body fluid water by urination. Avoid consumption of stimulants such some cold medicines and caffiene which increase heart rates.

5.2.7 Heat Stress Monitoring and Work/ Rest Cycle Management

For strenuous field activities that are part of on-going work activities in hot weather, the following procedures shall be used to monitor the body’s physiological response to heat and to manage the work/ rest cycle. These procedures are to be instituted when ambient temperatures exceed 70*^ and employees are wearing impervious (i.e., does not allow perspiration to evaporate) clothing (e.g., Tyvek, Saranex, PE Coated Tyvek, etc., coveralls).

a. Measure Heart Rate (HR) - The heart rate should be measured by the radial pulse at the wrist for 30 seconds as early as possible in the resting period. The HR at the beginning of the rest period should not exceed 110 beats per minute. If the HR is higher, the next work period should be shortened by 33%, while die length of the rest period stays the same. If the pulse rate still exceeds 110 beats per minute at the beginning of the next rest period, the following work cycle should be further shortened by 33%. The procedure is continued until the rate is maintained below 110 beats per minute.

b. Measure Body Temperature - Body temperature should be measured orally or aurally by a clinical thermometer as early as possible in the resting period. The temperature (OT) at the beginning of the rest period should not exceed 99.6°F, if it does, the next work period should be shortened by 33% while the length of the rest period stays the same. If the OT exceeds 99.6°F at the beginning of the next period, the following work cycle should be further shortened by 33%. The procedure is continued until the body temperature is maintained below 99.6°F. Consuming fluids immediately prior to temperature measurement will give false, low readings. No one will continue to be exposed to hot conditions with an oral/ aural temperature in excess of 100.6°F.

fPJtS Infrastructure & Environment, Inc

NYC-WTC_000145120