Summer is upon us, and is it HOT!  With warmer temperatures, employees working outdoors (or in a hot warehouse) should be especially careful of the sun, heat and other hazards brought on by the summer climate.

Who is most at risk?

• Infants, young children, elderly and pets
• Individuals with heart or circulatory problems or other long-term illness
• Employees working in the heat
• Athletes and people who like to exercise (especially beginners)
• Individuals taking certain medications that alter sweat production
• Alcoholics and drug abusers

To reduce the risk of heat stress, OSHA recommends that employees:

• Know symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting;
• Block out direct sun and other heat sources;
• Use cooling fans/air-conditioning; rest regularly;
• Wear a wide-brim hat, cap or bandana, and sunglasses that block UV rays; and
• Drink plenty of cool water, about a cup every 15 minutes.

It is especially important for you and your employees to know the difference between “heat exhaustion”, which requires prompt treatment, and “heat stroke”, which is a serious, call-911, medical emergency.  Read more about heat stroke and heat exhaustion in the National Safety Council’s “Surviving the Hot Weather” Fact Sheet.

http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Surviving_the_Hot_Weather.pdf

OSHA has made available their printable Heat Stress QuickCard^® (English/Spanish) for employers and employees on preventing injury and illness while working in hot weather.  This is worth printing and distributing to your workers. 

1 Comment »

1. 

   Good post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you for your information.

   Comment by ALA234L — July 24, 2010 @ 6:52 AM

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