Take The “Stress” Out Of Summer Heat
Working in hot environments can be dangerous, but taking simple precautions can prevent many heat-related deaths and injuries.
The two most serious forms of heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion (primarily from dehydration) and heat stroke, which could be fatal.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration offers the following tips for working safely in hot conditions:
- Train all workers and supervisors to recognize and treat the signs of heat stress.
- Consider a worker’s physical condition when determining fitness to work in hot environments.
- Help workers adjust to the heat by assigning a lighter workload and longer rest periods for the first 5 to 7 days of intense heat. This process needs to start all over again when a worker returns from vacation or absence from the job.
- Encourage workers to drink plenty of water, about one cup of cool water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if they are not thirsty, and to avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks that dehydrate the body.
- Encourage workers to wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Use general ventilation and spot cooling at points of high heat production. Good airflow increases evaporation and cooling of the skin.
- Schedule heavy work for cooler times of the day and use appropriate protective clothing.
- Monitor temperatures, humidity, and workers' responses to heat at least hourly.
OSHA’s Heat Stress Card in English or Spanish is available on OSHA’s website. For copies of the laminated card, available without charge, call OSHA Publications (202) 693-1888 or write to: U.S. Department of Labor/OSHA, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535 Washington, D.C. 20013-7535.
