The Workforce or employees who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments (it could be confined space or external direct Sun) may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and severe physical injuries. Heat stress can result in heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also enhance the risk of injuries in the workforce as it may result in sweaty palms sweat, steam-up safety glasses, and smog. Skin burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.
Who
Get Exposed to Heat Stress?
Mostly the workers who carry out their work or activities
outdoor are at high risk of heat stress include: outdoor workers and workers in
hot environments such as:
- Firefighters,
- Bakery workers,
- Farmers,
- Construction workers,
- Miners,
- Boiler room workers,
- Factory workers,
Employees
are at greater risk of heat stress include:
- Those who are over age 60 or above,
- Are overweight,
- Have heart disease
- High blood pressure
In case of severe heat stress/stroke, take medications that
may be affected by extreme heat. Prevention of heat stress in workers is
important. Employers should provide proper training to employees including the
labour, MEP technicians, and or others so they understand and aware what heat
stress is, how it affects their occupational health, safety and environmental,
and how it can be interrupted. Heat stress is an illness that can be caused by exposure
to extreme heat. It occurs when the body is unable to maintain a healthy
temperature in response to a hot environment. The employees who are continuously
exposed to high temperatures or hot environment may be at high risk for establishing
excessive of heat stress, as they typically have long shifts and may be either
ill-equipped or inadequately trained by their employers to recognize this
illness and take preventative measures. Hot conditions present a definite
threat to workers. High temperatures can be dangerous and even fatal at work,
as they lead to injuries, illnesses, and death. In 2015, exposure to
environmental heat led to 2,830 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses,
as well as 37 work-related deaths. Of these deaths, 33 of them occurred from
June to September.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a map of U.S. heat-related fatalities for outdoor workers. This map shows the locations of these fatalities, and according to OSHA, 109 occupational fatalities were heat-related from 2008 to 2014 alone.
Heat Stress and
its Effects On Workforce
The Workforce or
employees who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments (it could
be confined space or external direct Sun) may be at risk of heat stress.
Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and severe
physical injuries. Heat stress can result in heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat
cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also enhance the risk of injuries in the workforce
as it may result in sweaty palms sweat, steam-up safety glasses, and smog. Skin
burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or
steam.
Who Get Exposed to
Heat Stress?
Mostly the workers
who carry out their work or activities outdoor are at high risk of heat stress
include: outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as:
1.
Firefighters,
2.
Bakery
workers,
3.
Farmers,
4.
Construction
workers,
5.
Miners,
6.
Boiler
room workers,
7.
Factory
workers,
Employees are at
greater risk of heat stress include:
- Those who are over age 60 or above
- Are overweight
- Have heart disease
- High blood pressure
The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a map of U.S.
heat-related fatalities for outdoor workers. This map shows the locations of
these fatalities, and according to OSHA, 109 occupational fatalities were
heat-related from 2008 to 2014 alone. As time goes on and high-temperature
records continue to be broken, risk of heat stress is likely going to increase
and precaution will become more important than ever. Besides being a personal
hazard, hot conditions may also put workers at risk for further injuries and
can endanger their coworkers. For example, excessive heat may cause sweaty
palms, skin burns, Steamy safety glasses, or dizziness. Measures should be
taken to prevent or handle these factors so they do not interfere with a
workers’ ability to perform safely and efficiently.
Who’s at Risk for
Heat Stress?
Specific work
environments may put workers especially at risk for heat stress. These
environments are either outdoors or within a confined, heated space, and they
include:
- The outdoors (pools; landscaping; maintenance)
- Firefighting and other emergency response
- Bakeries
- Farms
- Construction sites
- Factories
- Oil and gas well operations
- Hazardous waste sites
- Plants such as chemical or brick-firing plants
Individual factors
may also put workers at risk of illness from heat. These include:
- Workers
who are 65 years or older
- Those
who have high blood pressure or heart disease and other underlying health conditions
- Workers
who are on medications that are potentially affected by extreme heat
- Those
who are overweight
- Drug
use
- Cardiovascular
fitness
- Existing
burns along the body that may interfere with sweat glands
- Workers
who have not performed in hot environments before
- A
low intake of liquids
There are
technical methods of determining the risk of heat stress, such as
determining the wet bulb globe temperature of the work environment. This
measure considers radiant heat sources, air movement, and humidity on top of
temperature. There are also occupational exposure limits (OELs) to
consider as well. Certain operational and environmental variables can have an
impact, such as:
- The
temperature of the worksite itself
-
The
environment’s relative humidity
- Lack
of proper HSE training and awareness of heat stress
- Workload/amount
of muscular exertion required
- PPE
that prevents the human body from sweating effectively, e.g. as waterproof
clothing
People who work in
certain states may also be particularly at risk. For example, California,
Kansas, and Texas tend to have the highest rates of work-related injuries and
illnesses caused by environmental heat.
Symptoms of Heat
Stress
It is highly
recommended that employers use personal observations as well as technical
measures to ensure that workers are safe. Certain indicators of heat stress can
be observed, and it’s important to use professional judgement to assess the
situation and quickly take action. An essential aspect of heat stress
prevention training is recognizing the signs of heat stress, which
include:
- Fatigue
- Sudden
and severe headaches or nausea
- An
increase in incidents
- A
lack of alertness
- Dizziness
or fainting
- Clammy,
cold, or pale skin
- Cramps
or pains in the muscles
- A
weak or fast pulse
- Excessive
sweating
OSHA and the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have worked
together to provide a Heat Safety Tool App that not only provides
real-time information on heat index information and weather conditions but also
acts an as a guide to identifying symptoms of illnesses related to the heat.
There are also
different severity of heat stress. For example, the illness may lead to heat
rashes, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. The most serious severity
is heat stroke, which is a real medical emergency and may be fatal, as in this
case, the body becomes completely unable to regulate its temperature. During a
heat stroke, a worker’s body temperature will be 103ºF or higher, and they may
be confused or lose consciousness.
What
to Do When a Worker Suffers from Heat Stress
When it has been determined that a worker is ill due to
the heat, remain calm and get help immediately. If there is not a supervisor
nearby or the supervisor determines it’s a serious situation, call 999. If
possible, move the worker into the shady or a cool area, remove any outer
clothing, and have someone stay with them until help arrives. As soon as
possible, provide cool water to the worker to drink, apply ice, and attempt to
fan or mist them. If the worker is confused or unable to stay alert/conscious
these are indications, they may be suffering from a heat stroke. In this case,
call 999 immediately and apply ice as soon as possible.
An important
aspect of assessing heat illness is creating a buddy system for workers.
Implementing this system brings attention to occupational risks, and ensures
that action is taken as quickly as possible. Workers should be familiar with
the symptoms of heat illnesses and heatstroke in particular to monitor the
situation. Or, a responsible person may be designated to monitor conditions and
protect workers. A complete heat illness prevention program will prevent
injuries and fatalities.
Methods
of Prevention
It’s mandatory to take action immediately and prevent heat
stress in the workforce. Prevention starts with high-quality and proper HSE
training. The workforce should provide an appropriate and essential quality
education through safety courses and other available means so the employee
understands what heat stress is and its causes, the various severity,
and how it affects their health and safety. OSHA also provides a Heat Stress
Quick Card which describes potential symptoms and actions to take and it is the
most beneficial for both employers and the employees. Both employers
and employees may undertake daily tasks to protect against heat
stress and other heat-related illnesses.
There are daily
tasks that may be undertaken by both employers and employees to protect against
heat-related illness. These include:
- Finding
or providing shade and using other means of blocking out direct sunlight and
other sources of heat
- Providing
and drinking water every 15 minutes (it is recommended to get at least one pint
per hour); avoid beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine, since these can
cause dehydration
- Modify
work schedules to begin and end earlier, avoiding the most intense times of the
day
- Arranging
frequent breaks that include provided water and are in air-conditioned or
shaded areas
- Providing
and wearing light and/or lose clothing that provides cooling
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