Page 12 - OHS, June 2021

PPE: PROTECTIVE APPAREL
It often takes a major crisis to remind us of how deadly the heat can be, but OSHA reminds us that ‘millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces.’
long-sleeved shirts, or AR/FR workwear in the summer are also often exposed to heat stress more than others.
Because wearing layers of heavy PPE often hinders the perspiration and evaporative cooling process, many workers will resist wearing PPE for this reason, especially in the summer season. It’s a “Catch 22” thing. Removing the impermeable PPE may reduce the danger of a heat stroke but doing so exposes the worker to other health risks.
Cooling Apparel as a Solution
Cooling products can help reduce heat stress at your jobsite. Wearable PPE that protects against heat exposures are called auxiliary cooling systems or personal cooling systems, such as cooling vests, towels and T-shirts.
The PVA material in many cooling towels and wraps can hold up to eight times its weight in water but remains dry to the touch even when activated. The advanced technology allows for workers to stay cool for an extended length of time. Plus, when the coolness wears off, the cooling towel, neck wrap, headband or head shade can be quickly reactivated by submersion in water for two to three minutes and then twirling in the air to reactivate the cooling technology.
In addition to keeping the worker cool, cooling towels and neck wraps also offer a convenient way to wipe sweat from the face and eyes, which is a frequent issue during the summer months. When specifying cooling products, ask these questions:
■ Is the product made from anti-microbial materials?
■ If the product is a headband or head shade, does it have a stretch-fit design which aids in comfort and a custom fit?
■ If the product is a neck wrap, does it have a stretch loop feature that keeps the wrap secure around the neck?
■ How long does the intense cooling experience last before it needs to be reactivated again?
Make sure your heat stress combat kit includes cooling products. They are economical, easy to use, and effective at reducing the risk of heat stress and improving worker comfort.
New technologies and proprietary fiber combinations and fabrics that help wick away moisture are prevalent in the PPE marketplace, making the jump from athletic wear to workwear. Moisture-wicking fabric is essential for workers who must perform in extreme temperatures, just as it is for athletes
participating in extreme sports. Many of the high-performance moisture-wicking fabrics today are a blend of hydrophilic (water loving) and hydrophobic (water fearing) fifibers. Together, they have a “pull and push” effffect, pulling sweat away from the skin and pushing it evenly across a surface, such as a T-shirt, to help with evaporation.
To deal with heat stress, safety professionals may want to consider specifying a high-visibility T-shirt that has moisture wicking, a cooling technology and 40+UPF sun protection.
How to Quickly Calculate the Heat Index with this Free OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App
No matter which controls you use (engineering, administrative or PPE), calculating the heat index is always a must when managing heat stress. OSHA and NIOSH have created a free app to help safety professionals and workers quickly calculate the heat index.2 This app is available at the Apple App Store and at Google Play.
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool features:
■ A visual indicator of the current heat index and associated risk levels specific to your current geographical location
■ Precautionary recommendations specific to heat index- associated risk levels
■ An interactive, hourly forecast of heat index values, risk level and recommendations for planning outdoor work activities in advance
■ Editable location, temperature and humidity controls for calculation of variable conditions
■ Signs and symptoms and first aid information for heat- related illnesses
According to the CDC, “The National Weather Service uses the heat index values to issue heat alerts to the general public. However, workers in hot environments experience heat stress from a combination of environmental factors and metabolic heat from the tasks they are performing. Therefore, OSHA-modified heat index cutoffs, used in the app, create heat index-associated protective measures specifically for worksites.”
At your next Safety Toolbox Talk, you may want to discuss the app, so everyone is mindful of heat stress. Granted, use of the heat index (or WBGT) is very important, but please remember, it cannot be solely relied upon to prevent heat stress among workers since many other factors can contribute to heat stress, including dehydration from not drinking enough fluids, medications, age of workers, etc. However, this app will quickly and easily raise awareness of heat stress and its signs and symptoms. You will need to enable your “Locations” setting on your smart phone so that the temperature and humidity data will automatically download and display the current heat index.
Mary Padron is a Senior Marketing, Communications & Event Specialist at Radians, a top-tier manufacturer of quality PPE to minimize the risk of personal injury. Radians’ extensive line of safety products includes Arctic Radwear® cooling towels, wraps, T-shirts, and more.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-106/pdfs/2016-106. pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2016106
2. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html
12 Occupational Health & Safety | JUNE 2021
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