As summer approaches, the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) urges employers to strictly follow a heat safety plan, especially those where summer temperatures can be punishing. During the first few days of working in a hot climate, 50 to 70 percent of heat-related injuries occur as our bodies gradually require time to acclimate to heat. In 2020 alone, heat-induced occupational hazards resulted in 56 fatalities and 2,330 illnesses necessitating time off work, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
OSHA focuses on training for high-risk jobs such as agriculture, construction, landscaping, package delivery, oil/gas operations, indoor baking/kitchens, iron and steel mills, manufacturing, and warehouse work.
But even with a lower heat index, risks can increase due to factors like direct sunlight (which can add 15 degrees to the heat index), strenuous work, and wearing heavy protective clothing. Therefore, these elements must be considered to ensure worker safety.
How Hot is Too Hot:
Determining the threshold of occupational heat exposure is a complex process that considers many factors. The balance between body heat gained from internal exertion and external sources and the heat lost predominantly through sweating forms the core of this evaluation.
1. Personal risk factors that employers should consider when identifying potential heat hazards in the workplace include:
Age: Older workers may be less tolerant to heat stress.
Pre-existing health conditions: Conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or obesity can increase a worker's susceptibility to heat stress.
Level of fitness and acclimatization: Workers unfit or unacclimated to heat are at a greater risk.
Dehydration: Not consuming enough fluids can exacerbate the effects of heat.
Use of medication: Certain medications can affect the body's heat regulation.
·Pregnancy: Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to heat stress
Alcohol use: Alcohol can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature.
Protective clothing or equipment can limit sweat evaporation and, thus, body heat dissipation.
2. To assess heat stress accurately, beyond just using a thermometer, employers can avail of the following tools:
An on-site Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) meter: Recognized as the most precise method to measure the environmental impact on body temperature (Morris, 2018), it consolidates temperature, humidity, sunlight, and air movement into one singular reading. For guidance on how to use and interpret WBGT, refer to OSHA's instructions.
The NIOSH/OSHA Heat App: Available on iOS and Android, this app offers a straightforward heat calculator for your device. Remember that this app only provides the heat index (HI), not the WBGT, though it does include workload guidance.
Heat Exhaustion and Stroke:
Heat Exhaustion:
Symptoms: Pale, moist skin; muscle cramps; fatigue; dizziness; nausea; rapid heart rate.
Response: Move to a cool area; drink water; apply wet towels or take a cool shower.
Heat Stroke:
Symptoms: Body temperature over 103 degrees; dry skin; rapid breathing; confusion; aggressive behavior; unconsciousness.
Response: Call 911; move the victim to a cool place; remove unnecessary clothing; be ready to perform CPR.
Do Not: Force liquids on the victim; apply alcohol to the skin.
Several resources are available to employers to identify and prevent heat hazards in the workplace.
OSHA's Technical Manual on Heat Stress provides comprehensive guidance on evaluating and controlling occupational heat exposure.
Heat-related illness training: Employers can provide training on the signs of heat-related illnesses, how to prevent them, and what to do if someone suffers from a heat-related illness
Regular rest breaks: Employers can schedule regular breaks for workers, especially for those doing heavy work in high-heat conditions.
Hydration: Employers can ensure fresh, cool water is readily available and encourage workers to drink frequently.
Shade or cooling stations: Providing a cool or shaded area for rest breaks can help reduce heat stress.
Rotation of duties: Employers can rotate job functions among workers to minimize overexertion and overexposure to heat.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Cooling vests and specially designed clothing can help workers stay cooler in a hot environment.
Monitor the air temperature, air circulation, humidity, and light intensity.
The presence of heat sources such as ovens or furnaces and heat-absorbing surfaces like roofs and roads.
Employers must remain aware of these factors when identifying potential heat hazards in their workplace. Employers can prevent heat hazards using several resources and strategies like training, scheduling breaks, ensuring access to hydration, providing shade or cooling stations, and rotating job functions. As summer approaches, awareness, and preparedness are key to staying safe in heat-exposed jobs.