Summer is on the horizon, which means that heat waves, overheating, and heat exhaustion will be more common for companies and employees working outdoors. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot temperatures or humid conditions.
While you can’t control the temperature, you can take measures to protect your employees from heat stroke and other serious health issues. It’s important to update your heat illness prevention strategies and develop a plan to help ensure the health and safety of your employees. Navigate the heat this summer by following these safety tips.
1. Know the Signs
To keep your employees safe from the high temperatures, educate them on how to identify signs of heat-related illness. Among the most common illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
The following are symptoms of heat stroke:
- Flushed skin
- Rapid breathing
- Headache
- Confusion
- Nausea
Keep your eyes out for the following heat exhaustion symptoms:
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Faintness
- Muscle cramps
If one of your employees or co-workers exhibits these symptoms, it’s best to get them in the shade or indoors if possible. The Mayo Clinic also recommends removing the individual's excess clothing, cooling them off with a cold towel or applying ice packs to their neck, head, and under their arms. If these symptoms persist, consider calling 911 or EMT services.
2. Be Aware of Risk Factors
While working in the summer heat can be dangerous for anyone, but there are various factors that increase the risk of experiencing a heat-related illness. Read further to understand more about these risk factors.
Age
Individuals over 65 have a less responsive nervous system, making working in hotter environments more difficult since they can’t regulate body temperature as well. Be aware of your employees' ages and their health as you schedule them for hotter days or certain assignments.
Certain medications and health conditions
There are specific medications that impact your body’s ability to stay hydrated and regulate body temperature. Have your employees consult their doctors to see if any of their medications will put them at greater risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Having a history of heatstroke, being overweight, or having heart or lung disease also puts workers at risk.
High intensity activity
Completing a high-intensity activity in the heat puts workers at greater risk for developing a heat-related illness. Scheduling consistent breaks, providing fans, and water stations are great ways to break up the day and reduce exposure to the sun and heat.
3. Dress for the Summer
Appropriate attire can help workers stay cool in the summer. If possible, let employees wear loose, light-colored clothing as dark-colored apparel attracts heat, making it easier to overheat. You can also protect your employees from the sun by providing hats and other protective headgear. A little sunscreen also goes a long way toward preventing sunburn.
4. Encourage Hydration
One way to prevent a heat-related illness is through hydration. By setting up a water station in a section of shade, you can help workers cool down and stay hydrated. It’s also important to set up regular water breaks so that employees have a designated time to rest. On long, sweaty days, providing sports drinks can help workers replenish their electrolytes.
5. Develop Risk Management Strategies
The safety and well-being of your employees is a big responsibility, especially when the weather threatens their health. While educating your employees is a great way to limit the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, many other heat-related risks can occur and fall through the cracks. One way to help protect your employees and your business is to invest in risk management.
Group Management Services and Heat Safety
A certified professional employer organization (CPEO) like Group Management Services (GMS) can provide your business with the resources and assistance needed to strengthen your safety policies and protect your employees. Our team of experts can help develop safety programs, write safety guidelines, provide onsite consulting, and more. Implementing these safety strategies will protect your employees’ health and safeguard your business from productivity loss, employee injury, and costly workers’ compensation claims. Contact GMS today to talk to one of our risk management experts about how we can help make your business a safer place this summer.