ASTM E3279-21

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E3279 − 21
Standard Guide for
Managing Heat Stress and Heat Strain in Foundries
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3279; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide is intended to establish best practices for
E1542 Terminology Relating to Occupational Health and
recognizing and managing occupational heat stress and heat
Safety
strain in foundry environments.
1.2 Objectives of the foundry heat stress and heat strain
3. Terminology
management guide are as follows:
3.1 Definitions:
1.2.1 Provide an objective framework for recognizing heat
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
stress and heat strain, and
Terminology E1542.
1.2.2 Facilitate use of best practices to manage heat expo-
3.1.2 acclimatization, n—the beneficial physiological adap-
sures to minimize heat strain and prevent heat-related illness.
tations that occur during repeated exposure to a hot environ-
ment.
1.3 In this guide, procedures necessary to manage heat
stress and heat strain in foundries are described.
3.1.3 dew point, n—the temperature to which air is cooled
(at a specific humidity) where the air can hold no more
1.4 Key elements of this guide include definitions of heat
moisture.
stress and heat strain, plus techniques for recognizing,
3.1.3.1 Discussion—When air in contact with the skin
communicating, managing, and controlling heat stress and heat
reaches the dew point, evaporation of sweat ceases.
strain to prevent heat-related illnesses.
3.1.4 heat cramps, n—aheat-relatedillnesscharacterizedby
1.5 Units—The values stated in inch-pound units are to be
spastic contractions of the voluntary muscles (mainly arms,
regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
hands, legs, and feet), usually associated with restricted salt
mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for
intake and profuse sweating without significant body dehydra-
information only.
tion.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.5 heat exhaustion, n—a heat-related illness character-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ized by elevation of core body temperature above 38 °C
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
(100.4 °F) and abnormal performance of one or more organ
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
systems, without injury to the central nervous system.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Heat exhaustion may signal impending
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
heat stroke.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.6 heat rash, n—also known as prickly heat and miliaria,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
develops when blocked pores (sweat ducts) trap perspiration
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
under your skin. Symptoms range from superficial blisters to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
deep, red lumps.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.7 heat strain, n—the body’s physiological response to
heat stress (for example, sweating).
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E34 on Occupational
Health and Safety and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E34.80 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Industrial Heath. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 15, 2021. Published May 2021. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E3279-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3279 − 21
3.1.7.1 Discussion—The body’s natural way to keep the 5.2.5 Participate in individual worker orientation and train-
core body temperature from rising to unhealthy levels is ing before assignment.
throughanincreaseinheartrateandsweating.Thisphysiologi-
5.2.6 Choose PPE for specific situations.
cal response to the heat load (internal and external) is how the
5.2.7 Medical services as described in 5.7 shall be arranged.
body attempts to increase heat loss to the environment in order
5.3 Engineering shall be responsible for the following:
to maintain a stable body temperature.
5.3.1 With safety staff, regularly review heat exposures
3.1.8 heat stress, n—the net heat load to which a worker is
associated with foundry processes and seek ways to reduce
exposed.
heat exposure.
3.1.8.1 Discussion—The net heat load to which a worker is
5.3.2 Provide feasible engineering control of process heat
exposed is from the combined contributions of metabolic heat
sources and ventilation of work areas.
(workload), environmental factors, and clothing worn which
results in an increase in heat storage in the body. Environmen-
NOTE 1—Portable cooling methods may be used, but could affect
tal factors include radiant heat, air temperature, relative
exhaust and other ventilation systems.
humidity, and air velocity.
5.3.3 Research and implement feasible corrective actions
3.1.9 heat stroke, n—an acute medical emergency caused by
recommended in investigative reports.
exposure to heat from an excessive rise in body temperature
5.3.4 Provide ready access to cool-off areas and hydration
(above 41.1 °C (106 °F)) and failure of the temperature-
stations.
regulating mechanism.
3.1.9.1 Discussion—Injury occurs to the central nervous 5.4 Workers shall be responsible for:
system characterized by a sudden and sustained loss of
5.4.1 Following their training,
consciousness preceded by vertigo, nausea, headache, cerebral
5.4.2 Preparing themselves for work under heat stress
dysfunction, bizarre behavior, and excessive body temperature.
conditions, and
5.4.3 Following established procedures for recognizing and
4. Significance and Use
reporting warning signs of the onset of excessive heat strain in
4.1 This guide is intended to describe heat management themselves and in their coworkers.
program elements that foundries use to prevent or manage heat
5.5 Supervisors shall be responsible for the following:
strain and heat-related illness. Specifically, the guide:
5.5.1 Evaluate work conditions and worker heat exposure
4.1.1 Provides an objective framework for recognizing heat
status, and take actions based on heat exposure levels.
stress and heat strain, and
5.5.2 Provide input to the worker training process and to
4.1.2 Facilitates use of best practices to manage heat expo-
employee evaluation before assignment.
sures to minimize heat strain and prevent heat-related illness.
5.5.3 Remove workers from their job assignments who
experience signs of excessive heat strain and interface with
5. Heat Exposure Control Program Responsibilities
response personnel.
5.1 Foundry management shall be responsible for the fol-
5.5.4 Ensure employees have break periods to cool off and
lowing:
hydrate.
5.1.1 With supervisors, evaluate indoor and outdoor tem-
peratures.
5.6 First aid responders shall be responsible for the follow-
5.1.2 Issue heat alerts that initiate actions.
ing:
5.1.3 Ensure heat exposure provisions and controls are in
5.6.1 Respond promptly to situations where workers expe-
place and functional and that prescribed PPE is employed.
rience signs of excessive heat strain.
5.1.4 Review heat exposure incident reports and approve
5.7 Medical services shall be responsible for the following:
corrective actions recommended as a follow-up to reports of
5.7.1 Evaluate potential employees with respect to their
excessive heat strain.
capability to perform assigned work tasks without risk of
5.2 Human Resources, a program manager, or safety staff
heat-related illness.
(or combinations thereof) shall be responsible for the follow-
ing:
NOTE 2—Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65
years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood
5.2.1 Establish procedures and conduct training for employ-
pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.
ees working under heat conditions and for people associated
with the program, such as supervisors and first responders.
5.7.2 Be prepared to treat workers with signs of heat illness.
5.2.2 Work with engineering to employ measures to reduce
5.7.3 Participate in the process of clearing workers for
heat exposure.
return to work.
5.2.3 Evaluate areas with significant heat sources as part of
job safety assessments.
5.2.4 Oversee the actions taken in the program in response
“Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and
to a report of excessive heat strain by a worker or their
Hot Environments,” DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2016-106, U.S. Department of
supervisor to the point of clearance to return to work or to
Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National
reassignment. Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2016, pp. 33–40.
E3279 − 21
NOTE 6—This need may be addressed by a combination of the
6. Heat Stress and Heat Strain Management Program
following action items:
Elements
(1) Hydration and electrolyte balance.
6.1 For a program to be effective in controlling the heat (2) PPE.
(3) Cooling rooms and personal cooling provisions.
exposureofworkers,controlmeasuresshallbeimplementedto
(4) Adjusting work schedules (for example, shorter shift).
address the following needs:
(5) Reducing work time or working during cooler hours (for example,
6.1.1 Worker Preparation—Only assign workers to tasks
pour during night shift).
involving heat exposure who are prepared for work in those
(6) Reducing workload or work pace.
(7) Providing heat relief crews (for example, crew rotation).
environments and can tolerate the heat exposure associated
(8) Employing personal and portable cooling devices.
with the assignments.
6.2 Ongoing tracking of heat stress and strain is required:
NOTE 3—This need may be addressed by conducting a job hazard
6.2.1 To check whether heat exposure control measures are
evaluation to determine which of the following elements would apply:
functional and operating and whether workers are following
(1) Worker Evaluation—To consider, among other things, medical and
physical conditions, acclimatization, and history of issues with heat assigned practices for working under heat stress conditions,
exposure.
6.2.2 Through temperature measurements and work effort
(2) Task Evaluation—Take into account potentially elevated metabolic
assessments to determine whether heat stress impacts have
rate associated with tasks conducted during heat exposure and the use of
risen above acceptable limits, and
personal protective equipment.
6.2.3 Through observation of workers and communication
(3) Training—To train workers, supervisors, first responders, and
others associated with work under heat exposure conditions in needed
with them and through assessment of work conditions to assess
knowledge and skills associated with this work, including:
the potential for the onset of excessive heat strain in workers.
(a) Understanding the safety and health aspects of heat exposure and
6.2.4 Evaluate information gathered to provide a basis for
how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat strain in themselves and
initiating actions that can address the issues identified.
in coworkers.
(b) Learning methods to be followed to maintain hydration and NOTE 7—In a heat exposure control program, ongoing status of heat
electrolyte balance.
stress levels and the effects of heat strain on workers are not constant
(c) Agreeing to cooperate with established company procedures con- because:
cerning needs such as acclimatization and communicating with one’s
(1) The amount of heat energy created within the body by the work
supervisor should early warning signs of excessive heat strain be effort as well as heat energy received from outside the body can vary
experienced in oneself or observed in coworkers.
widely, and
(4) Acclimatization. (2) Theworker’stolerancetoheatcanvaryduetochronicortemporary
health-related reasons or any issues that prevent workers from being fully
NOTE 4—Workers can be conditioned to become more heat tolerant 4
prepared for exposure to heat.
over time, as their bodies adjust to working in heated environments.
Given the possible range of variations in heat stress, heat strain, and
(5) Encouragingworkerstocheckthemselvesandoneanotherforsigns
heat tolerance of workers, the basic heat exposure control measures
of excessive heat strain and report findings to the supervisor.
implemented in 6.1 may not be capable of protecting workers from
(6) Assigning additional and extended breaks.
excessive heat strain under all circumstances.
(7) Encouraging workers to take breaks they feel are needed.
NOTE 8—Actions which foundries can take to track conditions that can
(8) Ensuring that breaks are taken.
affect the heat stress and heat strain status of workers include the
following:
6.1.2 Workplace and Work Preparation—Control heat stress
(1) Observe workers regarding following assigned work practices.
sources in the workplace by:
(2) Check whether heat exposure control measures are being per-
6.1.2.1 Addressing process heat emissions and thermal con-
formed.
ditions in work areas. (3) Measure the workplace thermal environment (temperature,
humidity, radiant heat, etc.).
6.1.2.2 Establishing work regimens which take into account
(4) Evaluate work conditions and worker heat exposure status, and take
heat stress on workers from both the work environment and
advantage of biometric information where available.
from heat buildup in the body created by the production of
(5) Establish triggering points for initiating actions based on tracking
metabolic heat during work effort.
results requiring follow-up action.
6.1.2.3 Accommodating workers in maintaining hydration
6.3 Heat exposure control actions shall be taken in response
andelectrolytebalance,andprovidinglocationswhereworkers
to tracking results, and preplanned strategies sha
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