Without staying hydrated and taking breaks, workers could
experience anything from dehydration to death resulting from heat-related
illness.
Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing
workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from
extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should
establish a complete heat illness prevention program. Things to consider when
developing this program include:
· Provide
workers with water, rest, and shade.
· Allow
new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent
breaks as they acclimatize and build a tolerance for working in the heat.
· Plan
for emergencies, and train workers on prevention
· Monitor
workers for signs of illness
 |
| Drinking water and staying hydrated is crucial in preventing heat related illness. |
To
help workers combat heat stress OSHA/NIOSH has a mobile heat app available on
Google Play and the iTunes app store free
for download. Workers often check their phones, so this is a tech-savvy way to
remind them to be healthy and stay safe. The Heat Safety Tool app first determines your location, then, it will
calculate the heat index and display the risk level to outdoor workers. The app
can assist workers by alerting them when to take breaks.
Prevention of heat stress in
workers is important. Employers should provide training to workers so they
understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how
it can be prevented. Here is a handy fact sheet to post on signs
and symptoms of heat related illnesses.
