As temperatures rise and the days get longer, combatting the heat is an increasingly crucial part of workplace safety across the US. When a person is exposed to high temperatures and humidity, they may develop a heat illness.
Stay Cool and Safe! Prevent Heat Illness at Work
Usually, your body creates sweat to cool itself down. But if temperatures and humidity levels are high, sweating alone may not be enough. When that’s true, bodily processes can become disrupted, causing sometimes severe health consequences.
Those who exercise or work in high-heat and humid environments are especially at risk, including, but not limited to:
- Construction workers
- Farmers
- Maintenance workers
- Utility workers
- Landscapers
- Firefighters
There are four main types of heat illnesses that workers tend to experience:
- Heat Cramps – Causes painful spasms in the muscles, typically in the legs, arms, or trunk
- Heat Rash – Also known as miliaria or prickly heat; causes irritation and clusters of red bumps on the skin
- Heat Exhaustion – Caused by too much time in high temperatures and too few fluids, resulting in heavy sweating, accelerated pulse, and rapid breathing
- Heat Stroke – A life-threatening condition that happens when body temperature exceeds 106 degrees Fahrenheit
7 Tips to Prevent Heat Illness in the Workplace
Keep yourself and others safe from high temperatures with these essential tips.
1. Know your role in preventing heat illness as a manager or supervisor.
Management and supervisors have the important responsibility of ensuring that the workplace is set up to give employees what they need to avoid overheating. Achieving this is a multi-faceted effort that requires a commitment to things like:
- Making shaded areas available at all workspaces
- Creating and having an emergency plan for heat illness ready
- Training all employees on heat illness prevention and reporting protocols
- Monitoring weather conditions to adjust workloads and settings accordingly. Employers are required to utilize high-heat procedures when temperatures reach or exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Educate employees on how they can do their part.
In addition to training employees on the heat safety procedures that apply to your workplace, make sure you’ve educated your teams on their rights and responsibilities.
As an employee who may be faced with extreme heat at work, a person has the right to:
- Report injuries or illnesses caused by work conditions, and review and get copies of their medical records from their employer
- Speak up about potential hazards
- Request an OSHA inspection of the workplace and speak to OSHA inspectors
- See the results of workplace examinations conducted to identify potential hazards
3. Make staying hydrated simple and routine.
A good rule of thumb for hydration on the job is to drink one cup of cool water every 20 minutes. Stick to this rule even if you don’t feel thirsty.
If you’re a supervisor or manager, make it easy for your employees to take water breaks regularly with coolers, water fountains, water bottle refill stations, etc.
For longer or more intense jobs, it’s a good idea to make drinks with electrolytes accessible. Avoid energy drinks or alcohol during this period, too.
4. Dress for the job, but also the weather.
It’s important to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) even when temperatures are high, but it’s also key to dress for the heat. Wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing (when appropriate) is ideal, as is wearing a hat and lighter colors.
If you’re wearing a face covering, make sure to change it if it becomes wet or soiled.
5. Take rest breaks in shady or cool locations.
Take regular breaks in shady areas or cooler locations to avoid letting body temperatures rise to dangerous levels. If shade becomes unavailable, promptly notify a supervisor.
6. Watch out for fellow employees.
Verbally check on others around you often and monitor your group for signs of heat illness. If you experience symptoms or notice them in someone else, report your concerns to a supervisor.
7. Understand and adapt to your personal risk level.
Some workers will naturally handle bodily stress caused by heat differently than others. There are many potential causes of heat intolerance, including personal risk factors like:
- Having a higher body mass index
- Chronic health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
- Using certain prescription medications, such as diuretics or some blood pressure and psychiatric medications
- Level of physical fitness
Consider your risk level or those of your employees to identify areas of need. Some employees may need work assignments that require less time in the heat, for instance, or more frequent breaks.
How to Treat Heat Illness on the Job
If you notice one or more classic signs of heat illness in yourself or someone else, notify a supervisor as soon as possible. Common symptoms to look for include:
- Excessive sweating or hot, red, and dry skin
- Elevated body temperature or increased pulse
- Headaches
- Weakness or dizziness
- Nausea
- Thirst or dry mouth
- Decreased urine output
Some symptoms are signs of a medical emergency. If any of the following occur, call 911 immediately:
- Slurred speech
- Abnormal behavior or thinking
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
After calling for help, move the worker to a cool area or cool them down with water or ice. Stay with them until first responders arrive.
First Aid
Even if it’s not an emergency, you should still work quickly to help yourself or someone you spot experiencing symptoms like those above. Here are some first-aid action steps you can take:
- Give the person cool water to drink
- Use a fan, water, or ice to cool them down
- Move the person to a cooler area
- Remove any unnecessary clothing
- Stay with the person – do not leave them alone
- When in doubt, call 911 or seek medical attention
It’s important to never underestimate how quickly a hot day can become dangerous, particularly if you work in an industry where physical labor is commonplace.
Do your part to protect yourself and others you work with from heat illness by staying hydrated, taking regular breaks, dressing appropriately, and brushing up on your knowledge.
When everyone works together to identify and avoid signs of heat-related conditions, the odds of workplace injuries or illnesses can decrease significantly.
