Heat Illness Prevention

Simple Steps Can Help Keep Employees Safe When Temperatures Rise

By Michael Sibley
CEO, Courage Safety Systems

When employees work in hot conditions, employers must now take special precautions to prevent heat illness. Heat illness can progress to heat stroke and be fatal, especially when emergency treatment is delayed.

Cal/OSHA has been the heat illness regulation pioneer since 2006 in their effort to reduce the large number of preventable fatalities in California's construction and agriculture industries. California now requires employers to identify and evaluate workplace hazards and take the steps necessary to address them. The risk of heat illness can be significantly reduced by consistently following just a few simple steps.

Heat illness results from a combination of factors including environmental temperature and humidity, direct radiant heat from the sun, or other sources such as air speed and workload. Personal factors, such as age, weight, level of fitness, medical condition, use of medications and alcohol, and acclimatization effect how well the body deals with excess heat.

Recognize the hazard

There is no absolute cut-off below which work in heat is not a risk. With heavy work at high relative humidity or if workers are wearing protective clothing, even work as low as 70 degrees can present a risk. In the relative humidity levels often found in hot areas of California (20 percent to 40 percent), employers need to take some actions to effectively reduce heat illness risk when temperatures approach 80 degrees. At temperatures above 90, especially with heavy work, heat risk reduction needs to be a major concern.

Water

There must be an adequate supply of clean, cool, potable water. Employees who are working in the heat need to drink three or four glasses of water per hour, including at the start of the shift, in order to replace the water lost to sweat. For an eight-hour day, this means employers must provide two or more gallons per person. Thirst is an unreliable indicator of dehydration. Employees often need ongoing encouragement to consume adequate fluids, especially when the workload or process does not encourage breaks.

Shade

The direct heat of the sun can add as much as 15 degrees to the heat index. If possible employers should provide a shaded area for breaks and when employees need relief from the sun.

Acclimatization

People need time for their bodies to adjust to working in heat. This acclimatization is particularly important for employees returning to work after a prolonged absence, recent illness or recently moving from a cool to a hot climate. For heavy work under very hot conditions, a period of four to 10 days of progressively increasing work time starting with about two hours work per day under the working conditions is recommended. For less severe conditions, at least the first two or three days of work in the heat should be limited to two to four hours. Monitor employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness, particularly when they have not been working in heat for the last few days, and when a heat wave occurs.

Rest breaks

Rest breaks are important to reduce internal heat load and provide time for cooling. Heat illness occurs due to a combination of environmental and internal heat that cannot be adequately dissipated. Breaks should be taken in cooler, shaded areas.

Prompt medical attention

Recognizing the symptoms of heat illness and providing an effective response requires promptly acting on early warning signs. Common early symptoms and signs of heat illness include headache, muscle cramps and unusual fatigue. However, progression to more serious illness can be rapid and can include unusual behavior, nausea/vomiting, weakness, rapid pulse, excessive sweating or hot dry skin, seizures, and fainting or loss of consciousness. Any of these symptoms require immediate attention. Even the initial symptoms may indicate serious heat exposure. If trained medical personnel responders are not available on-site, and you suspect severe heat illness, you should call 911 immediately.

Training

Supervisors and employees must be trained in the risks of heat illness and the measures to protect themselves and their co-workers. Training should include:

• Why it is important to prevent heat illness.
• Procedures for acclimatization.
• The need to drink approximately one quart per hour of water to replace fluids.
• The need to take breaks out of the heat.
• How to recognize the symptoms of heat illness.
• How to contact emergency services and how to effectively report the work location to 911.
• CPR/First Aid Training certification is also required on construction job-sites by Cal/OSHA.

Courage Safety Systems, in conjunction with CBIA and State Fund will be hosting a webinar on heat illness in May 2009. For more information, visit www.CourageSafety.com.