6 minute read
Protect Your Employees from the Heat Safety Meeting
Prevent Heat Illness at Work
Outdoor and indoor heat exposure can be dangerous.
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Ways to Protect Yourself and Others
Ease into Work. Nearly 3 out of 4 fatalities from heat
illness happen during the first week of work.
20% 100%
New and returning workers need to build tolerance to heat (acclimatize) and take frequent breaks. Follow the 20% Rule. On the first day, work no more than 20% of the shift’s duration at full intensity in the heat. Increase the duration of time at full intensity by no more than 20% a day until workers are used to working in the heat.
Drink Cool Water
Drink cool water even if you aren’t thirsty — at least 1 cup every 20 minutes.
Take Rest Breaks
Take enough time to recover from heat given the temperature, humidity, and conditions.
Find Shade or a Cool Area
Take breaks in a designated shady or cool location.
Dress for the Heat
Wear a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing if possible.
Watch Out for Each Other
Monitor yourself and others for signs of heat illness.
If Wearing a Face Covering
Change your face covering if it gets wet or soiled. Verbally check on others frequently.
First Aid for Heat Illness
The following are signs of a medical emergency!
Abnormal thinking or behavior Slurred speech Seizures Loss of consciousness
1CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
2COOL THE WORKER RIGHT AWAY WITH WATER OR ICE
3STAY WITH THE WORKER UNTIL HELP ARRIVES
9-1-1 Watch for any other signs of heat illness and act quickly. When in doubt, call 911.
If a worker experiences:
Headache or nausea Weakness or dizziness Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin Elevated body temperature Thirst Decreased urine output
Take these actions:
Give cool water to drink
Remove unnecessary clothing
Move to a cooler area
Cool with water, ice, or a fan
Do not leave alone
Seek medical care
For more information: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) TTY 1-877-889-5627 www.osha.gov/heat
Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. You have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. See www.osha.gov/workers for information about how to file a confidential complaint with OSHA and ask for an inspection.
OSHA 4135-06 2021
In Texas, the summer heat has hit us early and hard. It is imperative that marketers are protecting employees who often find themselves working in the oppressive heat.
OSHA Tips
OSHA is setting up a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to protect employees from heat-related hazards and resulting injuries and illnesses in outdoor and indoor workplaces. This NEP expands on the agency’s ongoing heat-related illness prevention initiative and campaign by setting forth a targeted enforcement component and reiterating its compliance assistance and outreach efforts. This approach is intended to encourage early interventions by employers to prevent illnesses and deaths among workers during high heat conditions, such as working outdoors in a local area experiencing a heat wave, as announced by the National Weather Service.
Visit OSHA at www.osha.gov for more information.
It explains how to use the heat index to determine when extra precautions are needed at a worksite to protect workers from environmental contributions to heat-related illness. Workers performing strenuous activity, workers using heavy or non-breathable protective clothing, and workers who are new to an outdoor job need additional precautions beyond those warranted by heat index alone.
Workers new to outdoor jobs are generally most at risk for heat-related illnesses. In almost half of the cases, the worker involved was on their first day of work and in 80% of the cases the worker involved had only been on the job for four or fewer days. That’s why it’s important to gradually increase the workload or allow more frequent breaks to help new workers and those returning to a job after time away to build up a tolerance for hot conditions. Make sure that workers understand the risks and are acclimatized.
Heat-Related Illness
There are several levels of severity when you are talking about heat related illness. Of course, being aware and recognizing the less serious, earlier warning signs is best for everyone involved!
Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is skin irritation caused by sweat that does not evaporate from the skin. Heat rash is the most common problem in hot work
OSHA Case: Delivery worker
A 50-year-old man had been working at a delivery company for six years. His job involved driving a vehicle and walking in residential neighborhoods to deliver mail and packages. In late May, the weather suddenly became hotter. On the second day of hot weather, this worker developed heat cramps and heat exhaustion. He was hospitalized for two days with acute kidney failure due to dehydration. His condition improved after intravenous fluid replacement.
Lessons to learn from this case:
Even experienced workers are vulnerable to heat-related illness when the weather becomes warmer. Throughout the first week of warmer conditions, treat all workers as if they need to adapt to working in the heat. Take extra precautions to protect them from heat-related illnesses.
environments.
Heat cramps are caused by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps. Tired muscles—those used for performing the work—are usually the ones most affected by cramps. Cramps may occur during or after working hours.
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to loss of water and salt from heavy sweating. Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, and heavy sweating.
Heat stroke, the most serious form of heat-related illness, happens when the body becomes unable to regulate its core temperature. Sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of excess heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that may result in death! Call 911 immediately.
Safety Tips
Additional safety tips are offered by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) under the “Natural Disasters and Severe Weather” tab. Here a few to share and plan around with your employees who are working in the field.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces before starting and 5 to 7 ounces every 15 or 20 minutes.
Avoid dehydrating liquids. Alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks can hurt more than help.
Wear protective clothing. Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing helps protect against heat. Change clothing if it gets completely saturated.
Pace yourself. Slow down and work at an even pace. Know your own limits and ability to work safely in heat.
Schedule frequent breaks. Take time for rest periods and water breaks in a shaded or air conditioned area.
Use a damp rag. Wipe your face or put it around your neck.
Avoid getting sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat if working outside.
Be alert to signs of heat-related illness. Know what to look for and check on other workers that might be at high risk.
Avoid direct sun. Find shade or block out the sun if possible.
Eat smaller meals. Eat fruits high in fiber and natural juice. Avoid high protein foods.
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Jeff Severson Marketing Manager (817) 738-8224 (Office) (817) 894-6126 (Mobile)
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