Human Resources: CalChamber Helps Employers Prevent Heat Illness

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) June 13, 2007 -- The California Chamber of Commerce is helping businesses prevent heat illness with the release of a "mini-book" publication that provides helpful information and advice on the subject in English and Spanish. The CalChamber Preventing Heat Illness mini-book tells employees and their supervisors how to prevent, recognize and treat heat illness -- training now required by law for employers of outdoor workers in California.

"As warmer weather approaches, it is important that employees and supervisors are trained to take preventative measures, know the symptoms and how to respond to heat illness," said Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber President and CEO. "In fact, for people who work outdoors it's the law. The Preventing Heat Illness mini-book helps improve workers' safety and if used as an outline for training, satisfies new heat stress training regulations for outdoor employees. We have made the mini-books available on our compliance product website, www.calbizcentral.com, because providing compliance products and advice is another way CalChamber helps California business do business."

Heat illness occurs when the body's temperature control system is unable to maintain an acceptable temperature. Under normal circumstances, the body cools itself by sweating. However, when high temperatures and humidity prevent the body from releasing heat efficiently, a person's body temperature can rise quickly causing numerous symptoms. If left untreated, high body temperatures can damage the brain and other vital organs and, ultimately, lead to death.

In July 2006, Cal/OSHA implemented new regulations to protect outdoor employees from the effects of heat exposure and mandated training requirements for employees and supervisors on the prevention, symptoms and treatment of heat stress. The regulations apply to all companies with employees working in outdoor places of employment. In addition to the training requirements, employers must provide potable drinking water, access to shade, and compile heat illness prevention procedures, including employee training, in writing.

CalChamber's Preventing Heat Illness mini-book complies with the new Cal/OHSA training requirements and is full of clear, medically accurate illustrations and plain-language, bilingual content for easy reader comprehension. The 5-by-5 inch mini-book easily fits in a vehicle, toolbox, office desk or jacket or pants pocket as a constant reference for employees and supervisors to help avoid, identify and if necessary, take action to treat heat illness symptoms. In addition, each mini-book also comes with a wallet card that employees can carry with them.

The Preventing Heat Illness mini-book was prepared with input from Cal/OSHA, which labels it a valuable resource and compliance tool for outdoor workers and supervisors.

"The CalChamber Preventing Heat Illness mini-book is a great information resource. It's nicely laid out and easy to follow," said Len Welsh, Acting Chief for Cal/OSHA. "We like to emphasize that, while good educational materials like the CalChamber mini-book cannot serve as a substitute for employee training, they can serve as critical material to be presented at a training session and to reinforce the lessons learned there."

CalChamber also recommends that businesses post the Heat Illness Safety Poster, a tool for the office that reinforces safe work habits in hot environments and serves as a reference to recognize symptoms of heat illness. The laminated poster easily fits on almost any wall and features realistic illustrations and lists key symptoms, signs and treatment for heat illness.

For more information or to purchase our Heat Illness Safety Products such as the Preventing Heat Illness mini-book or the Heat Illness Safety Poster visit CalBizCentral and go to the health and safety section. CalChamber will keep you updated on the latest California labor laws.

The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) is the largest broad-based business advocate to government in California. Membership represents one-quarter of the private sector jobs in California and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry within the state. Leveraging our front-line knowledge of laws and regulations, we provide products and services to help businesses comply with both federal and state law. CalChamber, a not-for-profit organization with roots dating to 1890, promotes international trade and investment in order to stimulate California's economy and create jobs. Please visit our website at www.calchamber.com.

Press Contact: Vince Sollitto
Company Name: CalChamber
Email: Email Us Here: http://www.prweb.com/emailmember.php?prid=532558
Phone: (916) 444-6670
Website: http://www.calchamber.com

More Information: http://www.prweb.com//releases/2007/6/prweb532558.htm