During a heat wave, outdoor temperatures reach 103°F. A worker shows signs of heat illness. According to Cal/OSHA, what is the employer's immediate obligation?
Correct Answer
A) Call 911 and provide emergency response
Cal/OSHA Section 3395 requires employers to call 911 immediately when an employee shows signs or symptoms of heat illness and provide emergency response procedures.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Cal/OSHA Section 3395 (Heat Illness Prevention) requires employers to have emergency response procedures in place and to call 911 immediately when a worker shows signs or symptoms of heat illness. Heat illness can escalate rapidly to life-threatening heat stroke; the code treats this as a medical emergency requiring professional emergency response, not a situation to manage on-site with rest and water alone.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: Send worker home for the day
Sending a worker home is dangerous and violates Section 3395. A worker showing signs of heat illness is potentially in a medical emergency. Sending them home unaccompanied could result in the worker collapsing while driving or at home without medical attention.
Option C: Move worker to shade for 15 minutes
Moving the worker to shade for 15 minutes is a preventive measure appropriate before illness symptoms appear, not a sufficient response after symptoms manifest. Once signs of heat illness are present, shade alone is not an adequate emergency response.
Option D: Provide water and continue work
Providing water and continuing work is the most dangerous option and directly contradicts Section 3395. Continuing work in 103°F heat after a worker shows heat illness symptoms could be fatal and would expose the employer to serious Cal/OSHA citations and liability.
Memory Technique
Signs of illness = 911, no exception. Think of it as the 'one-one-one rule': one sick worker + one sign of heat illness = one action: call 911.
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