Although summer has just recently begun, it is always time to prepare for working in the heat and humidity of Texas. Heat-related illness or injury can affect workers in a multitude of industries, in both indoor and outdoor sites, and happens far sooner than is expected.
An OSHA Alert said that nearly 3 out of 4 heat illness fatalities happen during the first week of work, so new and returning workers must build heat tolerance by taking frequent breaks and working shorter shifts in the heat to start.
Some job-related risk factors include working outdoors in warm or hot weather, wearing non-breathable or heavy/winter work clothes, strenuous activity (or activity you are not used to) and heat sources such as fires, ovens or hot tar.
According to OSHA, whenever the aforementioned and other heat hazards are present, employers must plan ahead to protect workers.
One way to protect workers is by creating a heat illness prevention plan and reviewing it prior to beginning any work in heat.
Employers should create a written plan to help prevent heat-related illness, and consider the following elements when creating such a heat prevention plan:
- Who will provide oversight on a daily basis?
- How will new workers gradually develop heat tolerance?
- Temporary and extended-leave (more than two weeks) returning workers may be more susceptible to heat and require closer supervision.
- How will an employer ensure that first aid is adequate, and what is the protocol for summoning medical assistance when first aid is not effective?
- How will heat stress be measured and what practices will be used to reduce heat stress?
- What training will be provided to supervisors and workers?
- How will it be determined that heat stress is hazardous?
Additional heat safety practices include following the 20% rule where on the first day of work employees are not allowed to work more than 20% of a shift at full intensity in the heat. Work time in the heat is increased by no more than 20% a day until the employee is used to working in the heat. Employers should provide cool drinking water and encourage workers to drink at least one cup every 20 minutes, even if they do not feel thirsty.
OSHA also reinforces offering regular rest breaks in shady or cool areas and having workers wear hats, sunglasses and light, loose-fitting clothing. Additionally, workers should monitor each other for signs of heat illness, which can include dizziness, fainting, nausea and muscle spasms.
United Tool and Fastener offers an array of heat-protection products such as various types of cooling towels and safety helmet inserts, pallets of water, AllSport hydration mixes, fans and canopies.
To buy or learn more about the cooling products UT&F offers, please contact a UT&F showroom in Houston at 713-692-2323; in San Antonio at 210-495-8665; or College Station at 979-731-8665.
