Posts Tagged ‘heat-stress’

Think Safety When the Mercury Rises

by Shannon

MercuryRisingFor those who work outside having the hot sun beating down on their backs is nothing new. After all, jobs don’t stop when temperatures soar. Unfortunately, the only choice is to work through it — often easier said than done.

The hot summer months pose special hazards for those who work outdoors. Your crew must protect themselves against heat, sun exposure and other hazards. Both you and your employees must be aware of the potential hazards in the work environment and how best to manage them.

Working in direct sunlight can add up to 15 degrees to the heat index, and right now we are in the “dog days of summer”. It’s not too late to training employees on the safety hazards of heat related illnesses and implementing preventative measures for your workers who are exposed to extreme heat conditions.

  • Train and educate workers and supervisors on risk factors and early warning signs of heat related illnesses
  • Provide cool drinking water near work areas and promote regular hydration before feeling thirsty
  • Monitor temperature and humidity levels near work areas
  • Implement a heat management program so everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency
  • Use work cycles to limit prolonged exposure to hot work areas and allow workers routine breaks in the shade
  • Acclimate workers by exposing them for progressively long periods of time to hot work environments
  • Use the “buddy system” to monitor worker conditions
  • Use safety supplies such as cooling pads and cooling bandanas
  • Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day
  • Avoid alcohol and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar
  • Always have a heat stress kit on hand for emergencies

Through heat stress knowledge and tactics, you can help ensure the health and safety of your workers over the rest of the summer.

Do you have any additional tips you use to stay cool while working in the hot summer sun? Share them in the comments below, your tips could help a fellow worker in the industry.

Keep Workers Safe from Heat Stress

by Shannon

Summer Heat

June 20th is the start of summer and as we enter the summer months, the warm weather has the potential to become very dangerous—even deadly—to workers who perform their job duties outside.

According to OSHA, both environmental and job-specific factors can put workers at risk for heat-related illness. Environmental factors include: high temperature and humidity, radiant heat sources, contact with hot objects, direct sun exposure (with no shade), and limited air movement (no breeze, wind or ventilation).

Job-specific factors include physical exertion and the use of bulky or non-breathable protective clothing and equipment.

Here are some ways to prevent heat-related illness from OSHA:

  • Use engineering controls, such as air conditioning and ventilation
  • Implement work practices, such as work/rest cycles
  • Drink water often
  • Enable workers to build up a tolerance to working in the heat

Employers and employees should learn the symptoms of heat-related illnesses so they can get quickly get treatment for workers who need it. Make sure people know how to recognize the signs of heat stress and be sure to have the proper emergency supplies on hand. Everyone needs to work together to ensure safety on the job.

Do you have any tips for staying cool during the summer months while working inside or outside? If so, post them in the comments below. Your tips may help another this upcoming summer season.

Is that Heat Stress? The Dangers of Rising Temperatures

by Julianne Bass

heat stress safety

Are hallucinations, confusion and a big ol’ rash a part of your daily routine? Either you’ve been partying a little too hard (… or just enough) or heat stress might be a real concern at your job. While it may be difficult to tell apart from normal fatigue and perspiration at first, symptoms of heat stress can quickly escalate leaving workers defenseless and in serious danger.

Work obviously has to get done one way or another, however if you feel disoriented at all, DO NOT ignore it. Easily excusable aches and irritability can turn into vomiting and loss of coordination in a matter of 10 to 15 minutes. Once your body temperature rises above 106 degrees Fahrenheit death or permanent disability could begin to set in.

On hot summer days consider shifting work schedules to off peak heat and humidity hours. Have a designated shady rest area for lunch and breaks with plenty of cool water. Allow workers to wear a hat and light colored clothing. On the first few days of working in the heat, don’t overdo it. Allow your body to acclimate to the temperature and air quality. Once you begin working in these conditions on a consistent basis it may become easier, however this doesn’t mean heat stress is any less of a threat.

Always be aware of your body and try and look out for your co-workers heat stress is easily preventable. If you need a break, take a break.

Don’t Take the Heat

by Julianne Bass

heatstressimage

Temperature variations that bring us all four seasons go from one extreme to the other, in what seems to be the blink of an eye. While the environment around us may be able to endure these drastic swings without consequence, the human body is very different. Maintaining a narrow range of deviation the human body core temperature averages a constant 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. As the mercury rises our body’s ability to regulate gets more difficult. The heart begins to pump faster, breathing and sweating increase. If the body can’t keep up with the changes that are happening around it, it begins to exhibit signs of heat cramps, exhaustion, or even stroke.

heatstresstableOSHA heat stress Index

In 2011, 61 workers died from heat illness and 4,420 additional workers became ill.

Heat Stress is influenced by several risk factors including climate conditions, the work environment, demands of the work, PPE and equipment, clothing and personal characteristics.

While there currently is no specific OSHA standard for heat stress employers are required under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act to protect workers from recognized serious hazards. OSHA has cited and fined employers who expose workers to excessive heat.

Further highlighting the importance of keeping workers properly hydrated and taken care of during this summer season OSHA’s heat stress campaign provides many valuable resources for both educational and training purposes to make sure your workforce stays safe.