Page 72 - Occupational Health & Safety, June 2018

HEAT STRESS
Beat the Heat!
And make sure you don’t fall victim to the rest of summer’s leading hazards.
BY ZACHARY O’DELL
68 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2018
www.ohsonline.com
When summertime rolls around, it’s easy to forget that even the clearest weather and sunshine can create hazards when working outdoors. If you find yourself working alone outside, you’ll need to take extra pre- cautions because any potential problems are made worse when you’re away from help.
In this list, we’ll be looking at some of the most common risks of working outdoors in the summer, and some of the ways that you can help to protect yourself.
1. Sun and Heat
Risks from sun and heat include sun stroke, de- hydration, and sunburns. To avoid burning, apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before exposure and reapply throughout the day to maintain your protec- tion. When heat poses a danger to you, make sure that you stay hydrated, and take breaks in the shade
whenever possible.
2. Poor Air Quality
During the summer, air quality can be decreased by environmental factors such as allergens, dust, and debris. It’s especially important to consider air quality if you already suffer from a respiratory condition such as asthma.
To avoid poor air quality in the summer, try to plan any trips outdoors for the coolest, driest times of the day, typically the morning or evening.
3. Extreme Weather
Just like the winter, summer has its own extreme weather conditions, including lightning strikes and tornadoes. If you’re outdoors and you hear thunder, take shelter indoors or inside a car if possible. Light- ning is more likely to strike tall objects, so when a structure isn’t available, it’s recommended to take shelter in low, dry areas.
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