Page 73 - OHS, June 2023

and strategic in order to successfully protect your team. During the months when heat stress is a concern, a manual or an automated check-in system should be implemented in which the employee checks in with their employer to confifirm their safety at predetermined intervals or times; 6 in high-risk circumstances or environments, employ shorter check-in intervals to verify the worker’s well-being; adaptation to heat may require some time and varies from person to person. Additionally, a fall detection device is also a major asset because it will detect dangerous impacts on the employee and request help immediately. Some fall detection technologies include separate de- vices and some can be used on existing devices like your smart- phone. If a worker collapses, this tool will let you know right away. Hot Surfaces Equipment, tools and work surfaces can become incredibly hot during the summer, reaching temperatures that can actually cause first- and second-degree burns when touched. Particularly with surfaces and equipment that are exposed to direct sunlight, employees need to be educated and possibly trained on the hazards of hot surfaces, depending on where they work. To address this hazard, employers must perform a hazard assessment of the work environment, documenting all occupational hazards as well as identification of areas with potentially hot surfaces. Once identified, look at strategies to mitigate the hazard such as “Do not touch” and “Hot surface” signs, as well other measures such as PPE like protective gloves, relocation of equipment into shaded areas and resurfacing/ painting work surfaces with heat-reflective coatings and paint. Wildlife and Insects Some workers are in natural work environments during the summer and are therefore exposed to the wildlife and insects who call it their home. This puts workers at risk of animal attacks and the infections and diseases—like rabies—that can result. There could also be insects that can cause painful bites or possibly worse. If your team members work around wildlife, training in how to deal with that wildlife must be performed amongst staff as well as any needed PPE such as face shields or protective eyewear. Devices like a panic button can also be very effective, empowering the employer to request emergency help at the simple press of a button. Eye Damage Did you know that PPE is everywhere, and most people don’t know it? Sunglasses are a mainstream form of PPE that needs to be taken seriously when working outside in the sunshine. Doctors say that “long-term exposure to even small amounts of UV radiation can increase your risk of developing a cataract or macular degeneration. UV exposure adds up over time.”7 This especially includes those working long hours in the sun and who may need to read smaller print in persistent, bright sunlight. Polarized protective sunglasses and eyewear can protect these people comfortably over long periods of time. But additionally, employers should provide these employees with protective headwear and hats, as well accessible areas for regular shade and water breaks. Confined Spaces Working in confined spaces can be hot and uncomfortable in the In addition to the very serious hazard of hot working conditions, summer also brings a number of other occupational hazards that must be identified and mitigated for the safety of your team members and your organization. colder months, but during summer, they can be stiflfling and very dangerous. According to OSHA, “confined spaces include, but are notlimitedto,tanks,vessels,silos,storagebins,hoppers,vaults,pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.” These spaces can not only get very hot but can also have low oxygen levels and noxious gases, making them even more of a hazard. When working in confined, hot spaces, many of these people, such as water and wastewater employees, are actually classified as lone workers; they are performing their jobs in isolation and getting them help in an emergency can be a significant challenge, depending on the space or structure they are working in.8 In these cases, communication is key. Provide them with reliable means of communication that they can use to request help quickly and easily in a tight physical space. Slip, Trips and Falls A major misconception about slips, trips and falls is that they are more of a threat during the winter. Yes, ice and snow can make walkways more treacherous, but the warmer months also present their own fall hazards. In the summer, slips, trips and falls occur around small bodies of standing water like pools, ponds and hoses that cross walkways and work areas. Like working in the winter, regular clearing of work walkways is absolutely essential in order to prevent dangerous slips and falls. However, around bodies of water, coatings can be applied to walking surfaces that prevent slipping. On top of that, if workers are at a significant risk, provide instruction and education to staff such as safety training and signage identifying slippery areas where caution is required. Installation of handrails and guardrails may be needed. Drowning In addition to slips and falls, increased work around bodies of water presents the occupational threat of drowning while at work. As we said, employees can slip, causing injuries, but also fall into pools of water, putting their lives in serious danger. According to Stop Drowning Now, there is an average of 10 drowning deaths a day in the United States, some occurring while at work. Employers can face heavy fines according to local or industry www.ohsonline.com JUNE 2023 | Occupational Health & Safety 71