Safety Policies & Programs

Policy Key Points

Policy

Introduction

Overview

Scope of Policy

While this policy applies to all Yaskawa associates and locations, the associates affected are:

1. Associates performing field service in high heat regions, and
2. Associates working in heat testing laboratories.

Information within this policy and related training may be helpful to associates and their families for non-work related activities in high heat areas.

Definitions

Acclimatization	Temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat that occurs gradually when a person is exposed to it. Acclimatization peaks in most people within four to fourteen days of regular work for about two hours per day in the heat.
Environmental Risk Factors	Conditions that create the possibility that heat illness could occur, including: Air temperature Relative humidity Radiant heat from the sun and other sources Conductive heat sources such as the ground, air movement, workload severity Duration, protective clothing, and personal protective equipment worn by associates
Heat Cramps	Painful muscle spasms that result from the loss of salt and electrolytes due to excessive sweating. Cramps will usually affect the stomach, arms, and legs.
Heat Exhaustion	A state brought on by the loss of fluids during excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion produces nausea, headaches, clammy and moist skin, weakness, and fainting.
Heat Illness	A serious medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat load. Types of heat illness include: Heat Rash Heat Cramps Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke
Heat Rash	A condition that occurs in hot, humid environments where sweat cannot easily evaporate from the skin. Heat rash produces a rash that, in some cases, causes severe pain.
Heat Stroke	A severe medical emergency that can result in death. The body’s core temperature gets too high and can no longer cool itself down. Heat stroke produces hot and dry skin (usually no sweating).
Heat Wave	“Heat Wave” means any day in which the predicted high temperature will be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit and at least ten degrees Fahrenheit higher than the average high daily temperature in the preceding five days.
Personal Risk Factors	Factors that affect the body’s water retention or other physiological responses to heat, such as: Age Degree of acclimatization Health Water consumption Alcohol consumption Caffeine consumption Use of prescription medications
Recovery Period	A period of time to rest and recover from the heat to prevent heat illness.
Shade	Blockage of direct sunlight. Canopies, umbrellas, and other temporary structures may provide shade. Shade is not adequate when heat in the area defeats its purpose by preventing the body from cooling. For example, a car sitting in the sun does not provide adequate shade unless it is running with air conditioning.

Responsibilities

Directors, Managers, and Supervisors

1. Identifying all associates who are required to work outdoors or in other environments where potential heat illness could occur and identify the supervisor of the associate.
2. Assuring that adequate water, shade, and necessary rest breaks are available when the environmental risk factors for heat stress are present.
3. Ensuring that all affected associates are trained on heat illness prevention.
4. Ensuring that associates do not work alone when the environmental risk factors for heat illness are present.
5. Ensuring that all requirements in this policy are followed.

Affected Associates

1. Complying with the provisions of Yaskawa’s Heat Illness Prevention Program, as defined within this policy and the training they receive.
2. Ensuring that they have the appropriate amount of drinking water available at all times when the environmental risk factors for heat illness are present.
3. Ensuring they have access to a shaded area or air conditioned building or vehicle to prevent or recover from heat related symptoms.
4. Ensuring they are not working alone when environmental risk factors for heat illness are present.
5. Reporting heat related illness symptoms to the supervisor.

Environmental, Health, and Safety Department

1. Aiding departments with developing a written program that complies with the requirements of federal OSHA, State Plan OSHA (e.g.: California OSHA), and Canada OSH regulations.
2. Assisting with providing training tools to all potential associates who may be impacted, and their supervisors, on the risks and prevention of heat illness, including how to recognize symptoms and respond when they appear.

Physical Work Factors and Task Planning

1. Before performing any task in high-heat environments, physical work factors must be evaluated and taken into consideration, as they significantly contribute to the risk of heat-related illnesses. These factors include, but are not limited to:
   • Work intensity and duration: High-exertion tasks such as lifting, climbing, prolonged standing, or continuous movement increase body heat generation and elevate risk.
   • Body position and movement: Awkward postures, repetitive motions, or confined space work can increase physical strain and hinder heat dissipation.
   • Use of PPE, tools, or equipment: Wearing insulating PPE (e.g., arc-rated clothing, face shields) or using heavy or vibrating tools adds to the body’s heat burden.
   • Task location: Working on hot surfaces, in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, or near heat-emitting equipment can intensify exposure.
   • Pace of work: Rushed or timed tasks, or those without adequate rest cycles, may not allow the body enough recovery to cool properly.
2. Supervisors and associates must review the physical demands of a task and make necessary adjustments to reduce heat load. These may include:
   • Reducing task duration or intensity,
   • Scheduling high-exertion tasks during cooler hours,
   • Incorporating additional rest periods,
   • Rotating workers to limit individual heat exposure, and
   • Using engineering controls like ventilation or portable fans when feasible.

Heat Illness Prevention for Field Service Associates

Indoor High Heat

All Yaskawa America, Inc. facilities are temperature controlled.

Associates who work in laboratories where high heat and/or high humidity tests are being performed, particularly when electrical PPE is worn, are subject to heat illness.

• Associates working in this environment must work with other associates in the area who are trained to monitor for heat illness.
• This work should be limited to no more than 30-minutes while wearing electrical PPE Associates should drink one quart of water per hour.

Heat Illness Emergency Procedures

If an associate has any symptoms of heat illness, first-aid procedures should be initiated without delay. Common early signs and symptoms of heat illness include headache, muscle cramps, and unusual fatigue. However, progression to more serious illness can be rapid, and can include loss of consciousness, seizures, mental confusion, unusual behavior, nausea or vomiting, hot dry skin, or unusually profuse sweating.

Any associate exhibiting any of the above mentioned symptoms requires immediate attention. Even the initial symptoms may indicate serious heat exposure. If medical personnel are not immediately available onsite and serious heat illness is suspected, emergency medical personnel should be immediately contacted and on-site first aid undertaken. No associate with symptoms of possible serious heat illness should be left unattended or sent home without medical assessment and authorization.

All Supervisors and employees must be trained to recognize and respond to symptoms of possible heat illness.

If any associate exhibits signs or symptoms of heat stroke emergency medical services must be contacted. Supervisors must be able to provide clear and precise directions to the worksite and should carry cell phones or other means of communication to ensure that emergency services can be called.

Heat Illness Training

Each supervisor who leads people who work in high heat areas are provided with training that includes:

• Requirements identified in this policy,
• Heat Illness Prevention,
• Recognizing signs and symptoms of Heat Illness,
• Heat Illness Emergency Procedures.

This training is available in electronic form via Yaskawa’s learning management system. Classroom training is available by contacting EHS at EHS@Yaskawa.com.

Heat Illness Prevention Reporting

Associates must report the onset of signs of heat illness to their supervisor or another member of Yaskawa management.

Constant awareness of and respect for heat illness prevention procedures and compliance with all applicable safety rules is mandatory. Associates may report any safety concerns to their supervisor or Human Resources.

Supervisors may issue warnings to employees and implement disciplinary actions up to and including termination for failure to follow the guidelines of this program.

Heat Illness Prevention Auditing

Field service managers shall audit compliance to this policy through onsite and by electronic means.

Revision History

Rev #	Description	Release Date	Approved by
0	Initial release	5/11/2019	Thurwanger
1	Added Physical Work Factors and Task Planning	4/1/2025	Thurwanger

Program Review

Review Date	Reviewed by	Changes Required (Yes/No)	Revision # if updated
1/9/2020	Thurwanger	No
1/19/2021	Thurwanger	No
1/13/2022	Thurwanger	No
1/26/2023	Thurwanger	No
1/11/2024	Thurwanger	No
1/16/2025	Thurwanger	Yes	1