By Travis Halstead, Loss Control Consultant

As the warmer months are quickly approaching, many of your facilities will be directly affected by the increasing temperatures. As you do not have the ability to close your facility for the summer, it is essential that we try to identify the symptoms of heat related illnesses and ways to prevent them. Through proper training and some other proactive steps, there will be a better chance of reducing the possibility of your employees being exposed to heat stress.

thermometerBy employees being exposed to extreme heat they are more apt to heat stress. While workers that are 65 years of age or older are at a greater risk of having heat stress, other individuals that are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications may also be easily affected by extreme heat.

Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and/or heat rashes. While the illnesses are well known, heat stress can also result in workplace injuries as well. Through sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses and dizziness, employees are subject to a greater chance of injuries.

While the weather cannot be changed, there are numerous steps you can take to reduce the potential for heat stress. Such steps include the following:

  • Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in hot areas for cooler months.
  • Schedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day.
  • Reduce the physical demands of workers.
  • Use relief workers or assign extra workers for physically demanding jobs.
  • Provide cool water or liquids to workers.
  • Inform employees to avoid alcohol, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar.
  • Provide rest periods with water breaks.
  • Provide cool areas for use during break periods.
  • Monitor workers who are at risk of heat stress.
  • Provide heat stress training.

Even though the majority of responsibilities are with you there are certain steps that your employees can do to help them avoid any form of heat stress. These steps include the following:

  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton
  • Drink water frequently. The frequency should be in the area of 1 cup every 15 – 20 minutes.
  • Take some short breaks in areas of shade or a cool area whenever possible.
  • Assist in monitoring other employees in times of extreme heat
  • Raise awareness with management of certain areas or tasks that provide a higher probability of heat stress

The process of reducing exposure to heat stress may seem unnecessary in your workplace. As heat stress is controlled by a large amount of contributing factors it is necessary in every workplace. In 2012 there were 31 heat-related workplace deaths and 4,120 heat-related workplace illnesses. By completing some of the steps above you can help reduce the probability of your workplace being inclusive in these statistics. Contact your Loss Control Consultant to discuss any ideas or concerns that you have regarding the heat exposure in your workplace.