Planning and Training: Help Keep Employees Working in Hot Environments Safe

UTICA NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT ALERT

Millions of workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces, with thousands becoming sick from heat exposure every year. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors during any season, not only during heat waves. Heat-related illness is preventable, but when the human body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, illness or death can occur. From 50% to 70% of outdoor fatalities occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body must build a heat tolerance over time. Planning for working in hot environments and training employees are vital.

Factors that increase heat-related illness risk include:

• High temperature and humidity
• Direct sun exposure
• Indoor exposure to sources of radiant heat (e.g., ovens, furnaces, welding)
• Limited air movement
• Low fluid consumption
• Physical exertion
• Heat sources such as ovens, fires, or hot tar
• Use of heavy personal protective equipment (PPE) and work clothes
• Poor physical condition or health problems, age (e.g., over 65), pregnancy and some medications (e.g., blood pressure pills)
• Lack of recent exposure to hot working conditions
• Previous heat-related illness

Type of Heat-Related Illnesses and First Aid

Heat-related illnesses than can affect workers range from minor discomfort to those requiring immediate medical attention.

First Aid for Heat-Related Illness

First aid for heat-related illness involves the following:

• Take the affected worker to a cooler area (e.g., shade or air conditioning).
• Cool the worker immediately. Use active cooling techniques such as:
  
  • Immersing the worker in cold water or an ice bath. Create the ice bath by placing all the available ice into a large container with water. This is the best method to cool workers rapidly in an emergency.
  • Remove outer layers of clothing, especially heavy protective clothing.
  • Place ice or cold wet towels on the head, neck, trunk, armpits, and groin.
  • Use fans to circulate air around the worker.
• Never leave a worker with heat-related illness alone. The illness can rapidly become worse.
• When in doubt, call 911!
  
  

Training

Provide a heat stress training program covering:

• The signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and procedures for responding to symptoms.
• Causes of heat-related illnesses and procedures that will minimize the risk, such as drinking enough water and monitoring the color and amount of urine output.
• Effects of non-occupational factors (drugs, alcohol, obesity, etc.) on tolerance to occupational heat stress.
• The importance of acclimatization, and immediately reporting to the supervisor any symptoms or signs of heat-related illness in any worker.
• Proper care and use of heat-protective clothing and equipment, and the added heat load caused by exertion, clothing, and PPE. For example, outdoor workers should wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and lightweight breathable clothing, such as cotton. Going shirtless promotes sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer. Sunburn and wearing heavy, tight-fitting blue jeans prevent heat dissipation. Use PPE based on a hazard assessment of the task.
  
  

Acclimatization

Ensure that workers are acclimatized through gradual exposure to a hot environment beforehand.

• Gradually increase workers’ time in hot conditions over 7 to 14 days.
• Closely supervise new employees for the first 14 days or until they are fully acclimatized.
• Non-physically fit workers require more time to fully acclimatize.
• Acclimatization can be maintained for a few days of non-heat exposure.
• Taking breaks in air conditioning will not affect acclimatization.
  
  

Hydration

Provide the means for appropriate hydration of workers.

• Water should be potable, <59°F (<15°C) and accessible near the work area.
• Provide individual drinking cups.
• Encourage workers to hydrate regularly.
  
  • Drink 1 cup (8 oz.) of water every 15–20 minutes. Thirst is not an adequate guide for water replacement.
  • During prolonged sweating lasting several hours (≥2 hours), drink sports drinks containing balanced electrolytes in place of water.
• Avoid alcohol and drinks with high caffeine or sugar.
• Generally, fluid intake should not exceed 6 cups per hour.
  
  

Rest Breaks

• Encourage workers to take appropriate rest breaks to cool down and hydrate.
• Ensure there are cool and/or shaded break areas.
• Permit rest and water breaks when a worker feels heat discomfort.
• Modify work/rest periods to give the body a chance to get rid of excess heat.
• Assign new and unacclimatized workers lighter work and longer, more frequent rest periods.
• Shorten work periods and increase rest periods:
  
  • As temperature, humidity, and sunshine increase
  • When there is no air movement
  • If protective clothing or equipment is worn
  • For strenuous work
    
    

Resources:

• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – health-related illness recognition, prevention, and control.
• National Integrated Heat Health Information System – NOAA site with heat forecast information.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Heat Stress Page
• OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App
• OSHA – Heat Exposure Training
• OSHA – Heat Exposure - Protecting New Workers
  
  
  
  
  

5-R-3987 |  Ed. 06-2021  |  Includes copyrighted material from ISO Services, Inc. with permission