Heat Illness Prevention and Response
Work in hot environments can have direct effects on human health including heat exhaustion, reduced labor productivity, and heat stroke. All university employees who work outdoors or in environments with elevated indoor temperatures may be at risk for heat illness– the group of medical conditions caused by the body’s inability to cope with heat.
Heat exposure can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions.
Outdoor Work
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Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 80°F
Workers performing job duties outside must follow the campus Heat Illness Prevention Plan to comply with Cal/OSHA.
Important precautions include:
- Scheduling breaks
- Providing ample shade and water
- Monitoring workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness
- Resting in shade if experiencing heat exhaustion; don't return to work in the sun
If someone is experiencing heat stroke, immediately call 911 and apply first aid. Signs of heat stroke include:
- Hot/red/dry skin
- Acting confused or disoriented
- Falling unconscious
Ensure completion of heat illness prevention training via these options:
- Heat Stress Recognition and Prevention - Cal/OSHA (30-minute online course in the Cal Poly Learning Hub).
- Supervisor-led discussion using the EH&S fact sheet and Checklist.
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Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 95°F
Follow requirements in the Outdoor Health Illness Prevention Plan: Department Procedures (Appendix A of the Heat Illness Prevention Plan).
- Limit strenuous tasks to cooler times of day if possible.
- Hold a pre-shift meeting; review high-heat procedures, encourage hydration, and take cool-down breaks every 2 hours.
- Supervisors must maintain communication and check in frequently during high heat conditions.
Indoor Work
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Indoor work with high heat
Heat illness can occur in indoor areas where temperatures exceed 82°F, such as mechanical rooms, laundry rooms, dishrooms, cooklines, greenhouses, and steam tunnels.
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Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan
Required for Indoor Work: Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan: Department Procedures (Appendix B of the Heat Illness Prevention Plan) and the Heat Stress Recognition and Prevention – Cal/OSHA course.
Supervisors and Managers can protect employees by:
- Developing an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Plan (Appendix B). Keep a copy at or near the worksite.
- Providing employee training (Cal/OSHA course + site-specific safety training).
- Ensuring access to cool, clean drinking water (up to 4 cups per hour).
- Providing rest periods and access to cool-down areas below 82°F.
- Monitoring for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and initiating response.
- Monitoring weather and heat index (via Weather Underground, NWS, or OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool).
- Identifying high radiant heat areas and implementing controls.
If employees work alone or for extended periods in hot areas, contact EH&S for a site-specific safety plan.
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Campus Buildings with A/C
The following San Luis Obispo campus buildings have full or partial air conditioning. This list was provided by Facilities on September 9, 2026.
A “Yes” in the last column identifies buildings listed as the best places to work, study or rest during excessive heat. A dash means the building was not marked in that column.
San Luis Obispo Campus Buildings with A/C Building Building number Full or partial A/C Work, study or rest Administration 1 Full — Cotchett Education 2 Partial — Business 3 Partial — PAC 6 Full — Computer Science 14 Full — Mustang Commons 15 Full Yes 1901 Dining Complex 19 Full Yes Engineering East 20 Partial — Graphic Arts 26 Full — Health Center 27 Full — Fisher Science 33 Partial — Library 35 Full Yes MEP 40 Partial — Eng. 3 41 Full — Recreation Center 43 Full Yes Music Center 45 Partial — UU 65 Full Yes Vista Grande 112 Full Yes Student Services 124 Full — Baker Science 180 Full Yes Frost 181 Full Yes Construction Innov. Ctr. 186 Full Yes Engineering IV 192 Full Yes Bonderson Eng. Proj. Ctr. 197 Full Yes Wurzel Plant Sciences 159 Full — Jacobson Animal Sciences 165 Full — Note there are many other buildings with limited A/C in specific rooms or areas. The buildings listed above reflect those that are connected to the campus central cooling plant or are new buildings with cooling generally available to the public/ campus community.
Weather Monitoring
The National Weather Service provides forecasts for San Luis Obispo and issues advisories during heat waves. On-site monitoring with thermometers is also recommended.
Student Programs Heat Illness Prevention
The California State University (CSU) campuses engage students in a variety of ways that include outdoor activities. This engagement may include camps, clinics, course work, sports clubs, research, fieldtrips, field activities and various other outdoor activities. The CSU strives to offer safe and enjoyable educational environments for our students as they engage in these activities. In support of that goal,the CSU is committed to protecting students as they participate in CSU academic and organized programs.
This program shall be applicable to all student activities where students are participating in University sponsored events, as well as auxiliary operations, which may have indoor or outdoor environmental risk factors for heat illness. This includes but may not be limited to Police, Parking, Facilities Management, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Student Life, Sports Clubs, Special Events, Academic Colleges, Children’s Center, Housing, Support Services, and Orientation Services.
The purpose of the CSU Student Activities Heat Illness Prevention Resource Guide is to develop a process for assessing environmental risk factors for heat illness during student activities in order to mitigate risks related to heat illness. These guidelines apply to University, Club and Auxiliary sponsored, approved or authorized activities. These activities may take place on or off campus.