Heat Stress a Hot Topic
Record-breaking heat is already in the news. As the weather gets hotter, temperatures loom over employees, especially those who work in outdoor environments and indoor facilities without air conditioning or poor ventilation.
In 2023, the Earth’s average temperature became the hottest on record. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates heat caused 700 deaths, 6,500 emergency room visits and 9,250 hospitalizations.
The CDC recommends training employees about heat stress: its causes and how to stay safe while working in heat. Employees should also learn the signs, symptoms and treatment of heat stress and what to do in an emergency.
Employers can take simple steps to adopt best practices to stay cool amidst never-ending heat waves.
- Gradually introduce workers to working in heat, especially for newcomers or those returning after a week-long absence. For example, during the first week back on the job, employers should gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks.
- Provide an ample supply of safe drinking water near the work area and encourage regular consumption and drinking small quantities frequently.
- Be strategic with scheduling work hours to help reduce employee exposure to high heat. Schedule work shifts that expose workers to heat for shorter, more frequent periods.
- Minimize physically demanding tasks during hot weather or schedule them for cooler times of the day.
- Teach employees about the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear while working in hot weather. They should also be aware of how some PPE can contribute to heat stress, such as some respirators and impermeable clothing.
- Finally, explore the use of thermally conditioned clothing options, such as garments with pockets for dry ice or with self-contained air conditioners or compressed air sources that supply cool air through vortex tubes.
Source: OH&S
We can help you ...
... establish a safety program for working in heat and educating employees about heat stress symptoms. Contact OCCMed Director Jennifer Carmack at 731-984-8400 or jennifer@occmedjackson.com.
