Page 30 - OHS, March 2022

SUMMER HAZARDS
F
Fi
i
v
ve
e
T
Th
hi
i
n
ng
gs
s
E
E
m
mp
pl
lo
o
y
ye
e
e
e
s
sN
Ne
e
e
ed
d
t
t
o
o
K
Kn
n
o
ow
wt
t
o
o
P
Pr
re
e
v
ve
en
nt
tH
He
e
a
at
t
S
St
tr
r
e
es
s
s
sI
In
n
j
j
u
ur
H
ries
H
e
ea
at
t
s
s
t
tr
r
e
e
s
ss
si
i
l
ll
l
n
ne
e
s
ss
s
e
e
s
s
a
a
r
re
e
a
a
r
r
e
e
c
co
o
g
gn
ni
iz
ze
ed
da
an
n
d
dp
p
r
r
e
ev
v
e
en
n
t
ta
ab
b
l
le
e
w
w
o
or
rk
kp
p
l
l
a
ac
c
e
eh
ha
a
z
za
ar
rd
d
.
.
K FB
outdoor workers, or year-round for indoor tasks in hot conditions. Heat-related illnesses are a recognized and preventable workplace hazard. In fact, OSHA issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking addressing this issue in October 2021 with the hope of having a final rule in place to protect all workers covered under federal OSHA. Some states already have regulations in place, such as Carolina, Washington and Oregon. In 2022, OSHA has included heat-related illness as one of their
national emphasis programs.
Facility plans may be thorough, but like any other health and
safety plan, that is no guarantee of effectiveness. To truly help reduce the risk of heat stress injuries and fatalities, the employees who will be performing work duties in extreme conditions need to know what to expect as well as what actions they will need to take should they find themselves, or a co-worker suffering a heat- related illness or injury.
Environmental Factors
For many, the heat index is an initial indicator that the day is heating up. In a report, the National Weather Service identified 20 different elements that can be factored into the heat index. No true equation for the heat index exists because of the number of variables, but two elements that are constant in any heat index equation are air temperature and humidity.
When workers will be working in direct sunlight, and if there is no wind, the heat index broadcast by a local weatherperson may not provide enough protection. Wet bulb globe temperatures, allowances for PPE and adjustments for heavy physical exertion need to be factored in to ensure that work and rest periods are appropriate. Teaching employees to recognize environmental factors in addition to the air temperature and humidity that contribute to heat stress can help them be more aware of why it may feel much hotter than the thermometer shows. When it is applicable, discuss how hot surfaces, processes that produce heat and steam and even sunlight coming through windows can contribute to high temperatures.
Hydration, Diet and Health
Environmental factors that contribute to heat-related illnesses and injuries can be difficult or impossible to control. In some cases, physiological factors can be as well—especially because employers can’t watch over employees’ actions when they’re off the clock. However, employees can be taught to recognize how their daily dietary choices affect their ability to work in hot conditions.
Proper hydration is a key factor in preventing dehydration and the onset of heat-related illness symptoms. Many symptoms of dehydration (thirst, irritability, confusion, cramping, and
BY
YK
A
AR
RE
EN
N
H
HA
A
M
M
E
EL
L
rom increased hydration and decreased work intervals to cooling shelters and core temperature checks, planning ahead when employees will need to work in extreme heat is essential in reducing risk. Whether planning is seasonal for
26 Occupational Health & Safety | MARCH 2022
www.ohsonline.com
headache) mirror the first symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stress and heat stroke.
Avoiding caffeinated, sugary and alcoholic beverages and consuming enough water (at least one cup per hour) can help employees stay on track. Posting urine charts in restrooms and common areas allows each employee to self-evaluate.
For employees who will perform heavy labor tasks for two or more hours a day, drinks with electrolytes may become necessary. Whether it is water or electrolyte drinks, teach employees what will be available to them and where it will be located so that they have ready access to it, before they become thirsty.
Even when employers do all they can to keep employees hydrated, some health factors such as age and underlying health conditions can predispose individuals to heat stress. For example, diabetes, heart disease and obesity can all limit an employee’s ability to work in hot conditions for the same amount of time as a person who does not have any of these health concerns. Recent illness, medications, a prior heat-related illness and alcohol consumption can also increase a person’s susceptibility.
Using the Buddy System
When work and rest schedules are developed for tasks that need to be performed in extremely hot conditions, group employees in teams of at least two people so that no one is alone. When a worker is alone, ego can get in the way of safety. They may stay on the task just a few minutes longer to get the job done, disregarding symptoms until it is too late.
When the same teams work together daily or frequently, symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, excessive sweating and irritability will be more easily recognized. Often, teammates will recognize symptoms in others before they recognize it in themselves.
As training sessions are scheduled to teach employees the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and injuries, schedule the entire team for the same session. When they learn the symptoms, first aid, work and break schedules and other safety information together, it encourages familiarity with one another that can
leolintang/Shutterstock.com