How To Protect Your Workers From Excessive Heat

8/25/2016 (Permalink)

The human body is programmed to cool itself down when it gets too hot, usually by sweating. However, severe heat conditions can cause body temperatures to rise to dangerous levels. Without drinking enough water or resting in the shade, heat exhaustion or heat stroke may occur.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Sweaty skin
• Weakness
• Cramps
• Nausea, vomiting
• Increased heart rate

Signs of Heat Stroke include:

• Red, hot, dry skin
• High temperature
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Fainting

OSHA requires that employers provide workplaces free of any known safety hazards, and this includes protecting them from extreme heat. Here are some tips for establishing a heat illness prevention program:

• Make sure workers are provided with enough water, rest and shade.
• Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
• Train workers on signs and prevention of heat illness, and to keep an eye on fellow workers.
• Consistently drink water every 15 minutes.
• In order to cool down, find time to rest in shady areas.
• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.

If a worker becomes ill, a supervisor should be called immediately, followed by 911 if applicable. Make sure that someone is with the ill worker at all times until help arrives.

This issue hits home for us, since SERVPRO of Savannah technicians are constantly outdoors in the Georgia heat. Their safety and wellbeing is a priority at SERVPRO.

For more information, please visit: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html?utm_source=Twitter