Letter from the Director of EHS
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety has received numerous heat related complaints from the occupants of building which do not have air conditioning, mechanical ventilation, or the indoor temperature exceeds 84 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, I am providing the following guidelines for those working in such buildings. Please share these with your supervisory staff/colleagues and post as necessary.
- People who are ill, overweight, physically unfit, pregnant, or on medication that can cause dehydrationshould be especially careful and take preventative steps to prevent heat stress.
- Preventative action for the buildings in question includes:
- Talking to your supervisor about your level of discomfort.
- Making arrangements with your supervisor to work in another area that is more comfortable and cooler (e.g., less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit).
- If your building workplace temperature exceeds 84 degrees Fahrenheit, speak with your supervisor and consider the following options:
- You may rearrange your work schedule - work when building is cooler
- You may take a vacation day
- You may take a sick day
- Work out some other arrangement with your supervisor for time off or for working from your home (where possible)
- If you decide that you want to stay, or you are considered by your supervisor to be a critical employee, then consider the following:
- Drink plenty fo liquids - (a glass every hour)
- Set up a portable fan and position it to cool your body
- If you are rearranging furniture or moving do so in the coller part of the day
- Eat light, preferably cool meals
- Take breaks when necessary
- Wear light clothing where/when possible
It is important to note that the University is not closed. Affected University Departments should handle heat stress related situations internally and provide flexiblity to employees as necessary during this time. Hopefully, this unusal heatwave will break soon and everyone will be more comfortable. In the interim, Department of Environmental Health and Safety staff is readily available to answer heat stress related questions you may have by calling 5-8200.
For more information about the contents of this page
contact : dehs@cornell.edu
Last Updated :
12.03.04