Author: Heat Aware

A Complete Guide to OSHA and Heat Stress in the Workplace

Heat Aware , ,

Heat stress is a constant threat to workers in many industries, to the extent that OSHA has regulations in place to ensure heat safety in the workplace. Specifically, OSHA’s General Duty clause requires employers to ensure their employees are safe from all identifiable hazards at the work site.

Prioritizing heat safety is also the right thing to do, as heat illness can result in long-term, even fatal effects on workers. Many researchers assert that official data doesn’t capture how many workers die every year due to heat stress on the job, but some data available confirms that dozens of workers suffer fatal heat illnesses every year.

This guide is for employers looking to improve workplace safety and ensure they are in compliance with OSHA regulations.

Risk Factors for Heat Stress

Heat stress leads to heat illness, so minimizing its impact on workers is paramount. That starts with identifying heat stress risk factors, which include:

  • Heat hazards – The most obvious risk factor is the presence of heat-generating sources, like ovens, furnaces and areas where industrial machinery is outputting a lot of thermal energy into the environment (assembly lines are one example).
    Outdoor work typically means one difficult-to-avoid heat hazard: the sun. Duration of sun exposure is an essential data point to track in this case.
  • Work intensity – In workplaces where moderate to intense activity is required, exertion will increase the risk of heat illness. Extended periods of work in hazardous conditions will also increase the chances of experiencing heat illness.
  • Protective wear – Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects against environmental hazards but doesn’t ventilate well and will therefore trap a lot of heat.
  • Certain health conditions and medications – People with certain health conditions, like cardiovascular problems, are at a higher risk of developing heat illness and more likely to experience severe symptoms.

Symptoms of Heat Related Illness

Heat illness may emerge gradually or suddenly. In most cases, there is a brief period of time during which symptoms are present and others have time to respond and help. Recognizing the symptoms of heat illness is critical for a proper emergency response then. Here’s what to look for:

  • Confusion or irritability
  • Loss of balance (ataxia) or weakness
  • Excessive sweating or a complete lack of it
  • Skin that’s clammy or pale
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • A weak pulse
  • Loss of consciousness

If any of the above signs are present, the worker should be removed from hazardous conditions and have treatment promptly administered.

OSHA Regulations on Heat Stress

OSHA doesn’t have any heat-specific safety regulations on the books, but the General Duty clause also applies to heat hazards. OSHA recommends employers adopt the heat safety standards published by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

There are several state-level and heat safety regulations, too – published in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.

There is momentum toward OSHA publishing heat-specific regulations. In fact, one was proposed in July 2024 – a rule that would require employers to enact specific safety provisions (additional breaks, additional health monitoring, etc.) when certain temperature thresholds are reached. It’s likely that OSHA will eventually publish safety regulations for heat hazards specifically, given the increased scrutiny in this area.

Heat Illness Prevention Strategies in the Workplace

There are many measures employers can implement to improve heat safety, including:

  • Better hydration and nutrition guidelines – Fluid and electrolytes are lost to excessive sweating, which leads to heat illness symptoms. Replacing both is essential to warding off heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and this starts with better hydration and nutrition. Specifically, choosing hydration and electrolyte-replacing foods and drinks, like fluid-rich fruits and sports drinks. Employers are responsible for providing workers with adequate water and breaks to replenish fluids. As the temperature climbs, workers will need water breaks more frequently and will need more water to prevent heat illness.
  • Monitoring workers’ health – Elevated temperatures will place additional stress on workers, and this can mean danger for workers with pre-existing health conditions.
    When conditions are hazardous, onsite safety personnel must be ready to step in and check worker vitals periodically to ensure any signs of heat illness are spotted immediately. High-risk workers with significant health conditions should be monitored closely and rotated to lighter duty, if possible.
  • Preparing an emergency response – OSHA recommends employers develop heat-specifical emergency action plans (EAPs) to ensure a rapid response if heat illness does emerge.
    An EAP should outline the treatment procedures responding personnel will take if a worker experiences heat illness. EAPs outline treatment and provide an inventory of emergency response resources (and their location) and contact information for a nearby hospital or emergency room. EAPs give workers the information they need to respond quickly and effectively.
  • Providing training and educational resources to employees – Once your organization has its heat safety standards in place, they must be reinforced through repeated training drills and safety-focused talk. Ultimately, all forms of workplace safety – including heat safety – are reinforced by top management, so the company’s leaders must take charge in practicing and emphasizing safety. Regular training sessions are an important way to do this.

The Right Resources and Tools Will Also Improve Workplace Heat Safety

The right heat safety resources can make the difference when a heat illness emergency occurs. These resources should be stored in a clearly marked area that all personnel are aware of. Emergency heat illness resources typically include electrolyte tablets, cool packs and wraps. Together, these can bring down dangerous body temperatures quickly and treat dehydration.

Even better, outfit workers with tools that they can use to monitor work conditions and protect themselves when working. One example is liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs) integrated into employee TWIC cards. LCTs provide an accurate temperature reading within seconds and weigh next to nothing, so they can be easily carried and stored. And for organizations on a tight budget, LCTs are low-cost solutions that encourage workers to take charge of workplace safety – something every organization will benefit from.

Workplace Heat Safety Tips: Protecting Employees from Heat-Related Hazards

Heat Aware , ,

If your worksites operate furnaces or commercial ovens, then heat safety is a priority for worker safety and regulatory compliance.

To ensure adequate workplace heat protection, the following safety tips are recommended:

  • Understanding the importance of workplace heat safety
  • Recognizing the signs of heat illness
  • Identifying potential heat hazards
  • Establishing a heat safety program
  • Providing adequate ventilation and air conditioning
  • Providing training on proper use of personal protective equipment
  • Implementing work and rest schedules/cycles
  • Providing access to cool water and water breaks
  • Training employees on all heat safety guidelines
  • Updating all heat safety measures as needed

Together, these heat safety procedures and tips will provide additional protection for your workers and additional protection for your jobsite in the form of better regulatory compliance.

A Closer Look at Important Workplace Heat Safety Tips

Workplace heat safety is a team effort and requires a comprehensive approach, as heat is invisible and odorless. That approach should include the following:

  • Understanding the importance of workplace heat safety – Heat safety isn’t just an employer’s responsibility, it’s the right thing to do. Every year, heat illnesses affect thousands of workers and cause serious, sometimes permanent or fatal injury.
    The first step for employers is to reinforce the importance of heat safety at every level of the company, including upper management. Safety culture is reflected by company leadership and all the way down to the individual workers who are most at risk of heat injury.
    An easy and inexpensive way to prioritize heat safety is to invest in heat stress management signs, as these remind workers of essential heat safety guidelines and encourage caution. They are also available in bilingual versions to support a bilingual workforce. Heat aware cards also reinforce heat safety awareness and provide workers with up-to-the-moment information on temperature and heat stress conditions.
  • Recognizing the signs of heat illness – Heat illnesses tend to emerge suddenly and progress quickly, so it’s essential that everyone on your worksites recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness.
    Heat exhaustion and heat stroke present with confusion, slurred speech, excessive sweating, headaches, irritability, nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. When any of these signs are present, it’s up to other workers and supervisors to notice and respond appropriately.
  • Identifying potential heat hazards – Heat safety plans are the guiding document when improving worker protections, and the first step in any workplace heat safety plan is identifying the worksite’s heat hazards. For exterior worksites, pay attention to where sun and shade are present throughout the day. For interior worksites, furnaces, ovens, foundries and any areas with limited air circulation are high heat-risk locations. Safety and heat stress management signage should be installed in these areas.
  • Establishing a heat safety program – Occupational safety plans are the primary safety guidance documents for worksites. However, for worksites with significant heat hazards, it makes sense to take the safety plan a step further and put together a heat-specific safety plan. Heat safety planning should include a list of all heat hazards identified on the site, the safety measures in place to mitigate them, and emergency procedures that should be followed if severe heat illnesses emerge. Once a heat safety plan is put together, managers should immediately implement all safety and training measures.
  • Providing adequate ventilation and air conditioning – Circulating air will reduce the impact of heat and should be present at all cooling stations. Inside, air conditions and air moving fans are recommended. Outside, position cooling stations in areas where air is moving, or install fans inside a tent to facilitate cooling.
  • Providing training on proper use of personal protective equipment – Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical layer of protection around chemical, electrical or fire hazards. However, they can cause overheating if worn too long or not worn properly. Heat safety training should include proper use of PPE to ensure it doesn’t result in heat illness.
  • Implementing work and rest cycles – When heat risks are elevated, like during peak daytime temperatures, many employers switch to alternate work rotations where workers spend less time at high-stress, high heat-risk stations and have additional time to rest – or at least have more time at light-duty workstations.
  • Providing access to cool water and water breaks – Regular hydration is a frontline defense against heat stress and should be consumed regularly during periods of elevated heat risk. Employers should ensure all cooling stations have access to cold water that’s replenished as needed.
  • Training employees on all heat safety guidelines – Once your organization has its workplace heat safety measures in place, including a heat safety plan, it’s time to train supervisors and employees on the plan. Training drills and unscheduled inspections will send the message to everyone that the company takes heat safety seriously.
  • Updating all heat safety measures as needed – Your company’s heat safety procedures should be updated and improved upon as potential vulnerabilities emerge in your safety plan. Review your heat safety measures prior to the hot season to ensure your organization is ready to deal with heat stresses. If heat hazards are present year-round, review your safety procedures semi-annually to verify emergency response readiness.

Implementing Workplace Heat Safety Tips Will Provide Protection for Employees

Heat is a difficult hazard to avoid, and it can become intense before anyone takes notice. Fortunately, heat is something that employers can prepare for with proper planning and procedures in place. For the sake of ensuring regulatory compliance and for your workers’ safety, consider implementing these heat safety tips on your worksites.

How Can Employers Protect Workers from Heat Stress?

Heat Aware , ,

According to the EPA, dozens of workers die every year from heat illnesses, and almost all of them are preventable. There are some important measures employers can take to protect workers from heat stress, including:

  • Installing heat stress-related occupational safety signage
  • Monitoring working conditions in real time to identify when heat stress is present
  • Identifying workers who may be at an elevated risk of heat illness
  • Ensuring workers take breaks at designated cooling stations
  • Adjusting work rotations to protect workers from extended heat exposure
  • Developing a heat-specific emergency action plan and safety plan

Together, these heat safety measures can provide a critical layer of protection for your most vulnerable employees. And the stakes are high, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and EPA believe that occupational heat deaths are vastly underreported – perhaps due to misclassification of worker deaths and the presence of undocumented workers in high heat risk industries, like construction, chemical plants and landscaping companies.

How Employers Can Protect Workers from Heat Stress

Fortunately, there are many low-cost, highly effective measures that employers can put in place to protect their workers from heat stress. Some of these safety measures include:

  • Installing heat stress-related occupational safety signage – Safety signage is cost effective to install, doesn’t have to be powered up, is always present and does the job of alerting workers to dangerous conditions. It’s also available for a full range of potential hazards, including heat stress hazards. When installed near sources of intense heat such as commercial ovens, furnaces, foundries, etc., safety signage provides advance notice of heat risks and allows workers to take appropriate steps to protect themselves.
  • Monitoring work conditions to identify periods of heat stress – The best defense against heat is useful information and vigilance. If your workers and supervisors know when work conditions are threatened by heat stress, they can be better prepared. The best way to do this is to provide your employees with heat-monitoring tools, such as liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs).
    LCTs provide an instant temperature reading that’s accurate within a degree or two, and they are so lightweight they can be integrated into a variety of materials. For example, LCTs can be placed in employee TWIC cards, which can easily be worn on a lanyard or carried by workers. When the LCT indicates dangerous heat stress, protective measures can be instituted. TWIC cards with LCTs are inexpensive, can be produced in large quantities and can be branded with the company’s information and logo.
  • Identifying workers who have an elevated risk of heat illness – Some workers are more susceptible to heat stress than others. Certain health conditions, lifestyle factors and characteristics (such as age) will increase the likelihood of a person developing heat illness. Further, employees new to the job will also be at a higher risk of heat stress until they are acclimated to strenuous work in elevated temperatures.
    When bringing on new employees, it’s important that the company’s medical staff review each new hire’s health history to identify any potential concerns. If such concerns are present, high-risk workers may need to be placed on lighter work rotations or take additional breaks when heat dangers are present. New workers should be given an acclimation period (usually 2-4 weeks) to slowly ramp up their activity until they’re able to work in the at full capacity safely.
  • Ensuring workers take breaks at designated cooling stations – Regular breaks are critical for protecting workers from heat stress, and the hotter it gets, the more rest periods are needed for safety.
    Employers can protect their workers further by investing in simple cooling stations for their workers to rest at. Each cooling station should have regularly replenished supplies of cool water, shade and, ideally, circulating air. Even better, if your worksite has access to air-conditioned areas, this will help employees keep their cool when the heat is on.
  • Adjusting work rotations to protect workers from extended heat exposure – When temperatures climb, workers must reduce their exposure to the heat to protect themselves. This is especially important if your workers are also subjected to constant sun exposure.
    A simple protective measure during periods of high heat risk is to shorten work rotations or maintain workstations that include less strenuous labor (or labor that’s removed from heat and sun). As heat stresses worsen on the worksite, supervisors can protect their workers by rotating them through these lower risk stations while maintaining productivity.
  • Developing a heat-specific safety and emergency action plan (EAP) – It’s standard practice for employers to implement safety plans and EAPs, but some take this essential practice a step further by creating heat-specific plans.
    A heat-specific safety plan is used to identify potential heat risks at the worksite, as well as outline the steps and procedures the company’s staff will take to mitigate those hazards. Also included in a safety plan are the names and contact information for the people responsible for enforcing the plan.
    A heat-specific EAP outlines the steps onsite personnel must take in the event of a heat stress emergency. It should include an inventory of onsite emergency resources (such as cooling packs), a list of treatment procedures to follow, and who to contact should an emergency occur. An EAP can be lifesaving when heat illnesses happen, as they can develop into life-threatening events quickly.

Employers Can Protect Their Workers from Heat Stress Without Stressing Their Budgets

Heat dangers are very real for workers who labor in heavy-duty industries or those that are regularly exposed to elevated temperatures. These dangers can prove fatal if not addressed properly, and that responsibility falls on employers. Heat safety measures are generally inexpensive to implement and are effective at protecting workers from heat stress.

How to Deal with Dangerous Heat When You are Not Accustomed to It

Heat Aware , ,

Many serious workplace heat injuries occur in those who aren’t accustomed to dangerous levels of heat. As such, these people need extra protection as they adjust to elevated temperatures. Employers and workers can ensure this adjustment period is a smooth one by doing the following:

  • Understanding the dangers of heat stroke
  • Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
  • Hydrating properly
  • Dressing appropriately for environmental conditions
  • Taking breaks in shaded cooling areas
  • Using cooling products or gear
  • Adjusting work schedules to avoid peak heat hours
  • Creating a heat-specific safety plan
  • Allowing workers to acclimate to work conditions

Each of the points above are vital in keeping people safe when the heat is relentless.

1) Understanding the Dangers of Heat Stroke

People unaccustomed to dangerous heat may not realize the risks of working in high heat environments. Before new hires begin work in high-risk conditions, everyone should be warned about heat stroke and its potential to cause fatal injury. Most people know that extreme temperatures can kill, but they may not know that heat stroke can emerge within 10 minutes, or that it may emerge slowly over several hot days. New workers may not know that heat stroke can cause permanent disability in people who recover from it, so avoiding heat illness is paramount.

Employers should also consider outfitting new workers with temperature-monitoring tools like liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs), which can be integrated into employee TWIC cards.

2) Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illness

If employees and managers on the jobsite know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, they will respond faster to a developing emergency.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include:

  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Heavy sweating
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Elevated body temperature

Heat stroke symptoms are similar to those of heat exhaustion, but they are more severe and potentially deadly. They include:

  • Lack of sweating
  • Body temperature in excess of 103 degrees
  • Profound confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness

Heat exhaustion can be treated onsite if it’s promptly addressed. However, heat stroke is a medical emergency that demands immediate attention.

3) Hydrating Properly

Proper hydration is key in the fight against dangerous heat. When working in elevated temperatures, the rule of thumb is eight ounces of water (1 cup) every 15 to 20 minutes. Paradoxically, acclimated workers need additional water to hydrate, as they sweat more effectively (heavily).

It is better to drink smaller amounts of water more often, compared to large amounts infrequently. Avoid drinks that pull water out of your tissues, such as alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Foods with high water content (fruits, for example) can also provide hydration.

4) Dressing Appropriately for Environmental Conditions

Heavy clothing will trap heat and increase body temperature. If workers don’t require protective wear, then light, breathable fabrics are recommended.

In hazardous work settings where protective wear is necessary, shortening work rotations will ensure people have enough time to cool down between high-intensity bouts of activity.

5) Taking Breaks in Shaded Cooling Areas

When high risk temperatures are present, supervisors should implement more frequent breaks to keep workers safe. If possible, a cooling station should be provided to workers – one that’s shaded and outfitted with a fan or air conditioning. If someone develops heat exhaustion or heat stroke, they should be relocated to a cooling station for frontline treatment.

6) Using Cooling Products or Gear

There are numerous cooling products that are cost effective and work well. Cooling vests and shirts, for example, use stored water to keep workers cool. Neck wraps are another popular option that can be dipped in water and worn around the neck to quickly cool workers. Neck shades and sun shields can keep the direct sun off workers and help prevent heat exhaustion.

7) Adjusting Work Schedules to Avoid Peak Heat Hours

If the weather forecast suggests extreme heat is on the way, consider reorganizing work shifts so that the heavier work is reserved for off-peak heat hours. When temperatures climb, supervisors should seek to lower exertion levels. This is also an opportunity for managers to schedule higher-risk workers (older workers, those with chronic health conditions, etc.) for shifts when temperatures aren’t as threatening.

8) Creating a Heat-Specific Safety Plan

A worksite safety and emergency action plan are valuable safety resources, and they can be developed specifically to target heat hazards. If your worksite needs a heat-specific safety plan, this is what it should include:

  • A section identifying all worksite heat hazards and their locations
  • An inventory of all heat safety resources and their locations
  • A section detailing all heat safety measures, such as monitoring worker vitals
  • A section detailing emergency response procedures, in the event of a heat injury (including contact information for a nearby medical facility)
  • A section that names the people responsible for enforcing the plan, as well as their contact information

Once your heat safety plan is in place, it’s imperative that workers and managers, including top management, are properly trained in the protocols.

9) Allowing Workers to Acclimate to Work Conditions

Most serious and fatal heat injuries occur in workers who are new on the job. It takes time for the human body to adjust to elevated temperatures, but it can adjust fairly well if given adequate time. When acclimating new workers to the job, the goal is to slowly get them accustomed to elevated levels of heat. Here’s the best approach to acclimation:

  • Gradually increase work intensity over 1-2 weeks
  • Eventually increase work intensity to actual expected work intensity (the body will only acclimate to the level of exertion it experiences)
  • Hydrate and cool completely between work rotations
  • Do not push workers to heat exhaustion – this will reduce heat tolerance
  • Acclimation periods should last at least two hours

Once workers are acclimated, they will require more fluid to stay hydrated, but will tolerate higher levels of exertion.

The Above Measures Can Help Those Who Aren’t Accustomed to Dangerous Heat

There are many simple steps that businesses can take to protect their workers from dangerous heat. It starts with knowledge and vigilance, and includes outfitting your workers with heat safety resources, adding cooling breaks, adjusting work schedules, creating a heat safety plan and more. Together, these measures will safeguard your workers from dangerous heat, especially if they aren’t accustomed to it.

Heat Stress: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention Tips

Heat Aware , ,

Heat stress can be a deadly threat to workers – and it can be caused by several types of heat sources, including:

  • Environmental heat from the sun or excess humidity
  • Exertion – the more intense the exertion, the greater the heat risk
  • Heat trapped inside heavy or non-breathable work clothing
  • Additional heat sources, like ovens or furnaces

Certain health conditions can predispose workers to the dangers of heat stress, but even completely healthy people can be severely harmed by the heat. As such, it’s up to employers and workers to respond to thermal risks and put measures in place to avoid heat-related illness and injury.

What are the Symptoms of Heat Stress and Heat Illness?

When heat stress is intense enough to cause symptoms, the resulting condition is termed heat illness. Two of the most common and concerning forms of heat illness are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are the symptoms and potential complications of each:

  • Heat exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is the precursor to heat stroke and merits an immediate medical response from onsite personnel. If untreated, heat exhaustion will progress to potentially deadly forms of heat illness. Common signs of heat exhaustion include headaches, dizziness, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, nausea or vomiting, and muscle cramps or spasms. Confusion may also be present.
  • Heat stroke – Heat stroke is a medical emergency and typically occurs when heat stress goes unchecked for too long. Heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke suddenly, transitioning from a preventable injury to a potentially life-threatening condition.
    Heat stroke is characterized by dangerously high body temperatures, profuse sweating or a complete lack of it (the body’s attempt to retain water), profound confusion and loss of coordination, slurred speech, mood changes, severe migraine-like headaches and loss of consciousness.

In addition to the above, heat stress may manifest as lower risk heat illnesses such as heat rash or heat cramps. Responding to those mild forms of heat stress is the first step in reducing heat injuries.

Heat Stress Prevention Tips

The best way to handle heat risks is to minimize them from the outset. Failing that, it’s critical that your personnel (including top management) knows how to respond to developing heat-related emergencies. Here are some steps every employer can take to improve their company’s heat safety:

  • Identify all potential heat hazards – If you don’t know where the heat hazards are, you can’t protect workers (or yourself) from them. Survey the worksite and determine where heat stress is most likely to emerge. Take temperature readings several times a day over several days to confirm this, as thermal pockets can appear anywhere, including interior spaces.
  • Create a heat-specific safety plan – The general recommendation for businesses is to invest in safety planning. If heat hazards are present at your facilities or worksites, a heat-specific safety plan is also recommended. Include all implementable safety measures and who is responsible for implementing them. Putting a plan in place improves emergency readiness if your employees are trained on the steps to take.
  • Prioritize medical monitoring – Some people are far more predisposed to heat stress risks than others. People with heart disease and people taking diuretics, anticholinergics or antidepressants are two examples of heat-susceptible workers. If these risk factors are identified in workers early, steps can be taken to mitigate them, like extending the acclimation period or scheduling work rotations away from the worst heat risks.
  • Provide essential heat safety resources – Heat stress can be managed with the right onsite materials and resources. For example, neck wraps are a low-cost accessory that workers can use to keep themselves cool.
    Another helpful option is liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs) that workers can easily carry around. LCTs are so light that they can be embedded into ID badges or TWIC cards. They provide an accurate temperature reading within moments and can give workers advance notice of elevated heat risks.
  • Prioritize safety training and leadership – Safety planning and other safety measures are no use if workers aren’t put through safety drills. Those measures are also likely to fail if upper management reflects a “safety second” mentality on the job. To ensure neither threatens your heat safety approach, schedule regular training sessions and reject any casual attitudes toward heat safety. It only takes one serious heat injury to derail your organization.
  • Implement an acclimation period – Many severe and fatal heat illnesses occur in workers new to the job. These people often have not had time to adjust to high-exertion work or work in high-temperature areas.
    Fortunately, the human body can adjust (to an extent) to these conditions if given a couple of weeks with a gentle ramp-up of work intensity and duration. Allow your new hires to acclimate on this timeline to build up their heat tolerance.
  • Have a plan for when heat stress strikes – Ultimately, your organization must be prepared for when, not if, an emergency occurs. These emergency measures should be specified in your safety plan and include details on available emergency resources (such as cooling packs) – and where to find them. Your workers should also know how to move a heat stressed person to safety, how to begin life-saving cooling treatment, and who to contact.

Prevent Heat Stress by Recognizing and Reacting to the Causes

Heat stress can be a killer and has caused dozens of on-the-job fatalities in the last several years. That underestimates the impact of heat illnesses, too, as they often lead to long-term injury and reduced productivity.

The good news is that heat stress and heat injuries are avoidable with the right preventable measures in place.

Heat Stress Hazards and Effective Control Measures for Workplaces

Heat Aware , ,

Heat stress hazards can be minimized in the workplace with the right control measures, including:

  • Installing safety signage
  • Providing workers with temperature-taking tools
  • Scheduling work rotations to prioritize safety
  • Ensuring there is adequate water and cooling stations available
  • Creating a heat-specific emergency action plan
  • Training workers to recognize the signs of heat illness

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 3,300 heat illnesses and injuries every year that cause missed work time – and more than 30 workers die every year due to the heat. That’s a lot of lost productivity and potential liability for employers, and tragedy for workers.

Integrating the above practices on the jobsite will greatly improve heat safety in most workplaces. Here is a closer look at each of the preventative measures listed above and how implementing them can make a difference.

1) Installing Safety Signage

Occupational safety signage is a vital first layer of defense for hazardous workplaces, as it offers several advantages. Signage can be installed wherever the hazards are and can communicate in multiple languages, making it a cost effective and durable way to keep safety in the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Safety signage reminds workers to stay alert to the signs of heat illness. Signs remind workers to take in enough water and points out where cooling stations are located, and it reminds workers what to do in the event of an emergency.

Given its importance in heat safety and cost efficiency, safety signage is considered a must-have protective measure for any workplace that features heat hazards.

2) Providing Workers with Temperature-Tracking Tools

The first step in preventing heat illness is vigilance, and that means tracking the temperature as it changes throughout the day. This is something that workers can – and should – be trusted with. If workers in the field are most at risk of heat illness, it makes sense that they should have advance notice of potentially unsafe conditions.

An increasingly popular tool for employers is to equip their workers with easy-to-use, reliable liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs). LCTs are lightweight and compact enough that they can be integrated into TWIC cards. They provide a reliable temperature reading within seconds, so workers can respond and take appropriate safety measures as the heat reaches dangerous levels.

3) Scheduling Work Rotations to Prioritize Safety

If your organization can manage it, scheduling work rotations with heat hazards in mind can also reduce risk. This is especially important for new workers who may not be acclimated to elevated temperatures. It is highly recommended that new hires have a chance to slowly acclimate to full work intensity – including slowly ramping up exposure to elevated heat levels.

However, even experienced workers need additional breaks when heat hazards are present. When the forecast calls for hot weather, supervisors can be proactive in scheduling heat-safe work rotations, including shorter rotations or rotations that include less manual labor.

4) Ensuring There is Adequate Water and Cooling Areas Available

An essential control measure for hazardous workplaces is organizing cooling stations. These don’t have to be elaborate setups as some shade, a cooling fan and cold water is all that’s necessary. Ideally, these cooling stations are set up in areas with air conditioning, but anything that provides relief from the heat will reduce risk.

If heat stress hazards threaten your indoor workers, control measures include better indoor cooling and improved air circulation. This could be as simple as opening some windows or setting up cooling fans in areas where heat is regularly trapped.

5) Creating a Heat-Specific Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

EAPs are an essential planning document for workplaces with any hazards, but they can be developed for specific types of hazards in mind, including heat hazards.

If heat hazards are present on a jobsite, a heat-specific EAP will improve emergency readiness should heat illness strike. To ensure maximum readiness, heat-specific EAPs should include the following:

  • A section detailing the location and nature of all heat hazards
  • A section with an inventory and location of all heat emergency supplies
  • A section detailing what actions workers should take in the event of an emergency
  • Contact information for a nearby medical facility
  • The names and contact information of anyone in charge of developing the EAP

Once your heat-specific EAP is complete and signed off on, it’s the responsibility of safety personnel to introduce the plan to workers and train them on proper procedures. Time is critical when heat illness occurs, so it’s important that your employees are ready to put the EAP into action instantly.

6) Training Workers to Recognize the Signs of Heat Illness

When heat illnesses do emerge, the first person to notice is almost always another worker. That means if your employees are trained to recognize heat illnesses, your organization will manage a better emergency response.

Signs of heat illness include the following:

  • Weakness
  • Loss of balance
  • Slurred speech
  • Irritability
  • Heavy sweating or a complete lack of it
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke present with similar symptoms – but heat stroke presents with more severe symptoms that can quickly lead to a medical emergency. If your employees can catch heat illnesses before they progress to heat stroke, permanent (even fatal) injuries can be avoided.

Mitigate Heat Stress Hazards with the Right Control Measures

Heat stress puts workers, and your organization, at risk. Excessive heat poses a risk that’s invisible, silent and odorless – so awareness is key. Your organization can maintain that awareness with proven control measures including safety signage, LCTs, altered work schedules, cooling stations and safety training among them. These control measures are generally simple and inexpensive to implement, so there is no reason to ignore heat hazards and the dangers they pose.

How Can Road Construction Crews Stay Out of Heat Stroke Danger?

Heat Aware , ,

Heat stroke is a risk in all forms of construction, but it’s elevated for road construction workers. The job involves bursts of heavy labor, and if construction is being done during the day, there may not be shade nearby. On major highways, the nearest source of shade may be across several high speed lanes of traffic. For these workers, it may seem like there’s no escape from the sun.

During the paving process, heat is more of a concern, as asphalt is applied at temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter. That’s a lot of radiant energy, exposing construction crews to elevated temperatures.

Road construction workers need protection from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If not treated promptly, heat stroke can lead to long-term disability or death, so prevention is critical. To do that, construction sites need the right processes and the right equipment.

Keep an Eye on the Thermometer

The first step in preventing heat illness is knowing when the heat is too much. Every worksite should monitor temperature constantly, and be ready to take measures when the heat index is elevated. The more people watching the temperature, the better, as preventing heat illness should be everyone’s goal, from supervisors to the crew. It’s especially important that workers know the temperature, as they are usually the first to notice signs of heat illness in other workers.

Heat cards are an ideal way for everyone at the site to monitor the temperature. Heat cards are embedded with thermochromic liquid crystals, or LCs, and these crystals alter their orientation as the temperature rises and falls. This causes them to change color, and they are accurate within a single degree Fahrenheit. Heat cards allow for temperature monitoring on demand at a glance, and they can also be printed with company branding, reference information or emergency contacts. This can be lifesaving if a worker is found debilitated by heat stroke and cannot be easily moved.

Information is Critical

Many companies are integrating heat illness prevention into their occupational safety programs, and a major part of these programs is information. It’s essential that everyone know what the company’s processes are regarding heat illness prevention, risk reduction and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Efforts in informing an entire workforce should be multifaceted. Verbal instruction and training are important, but so are reminders. Some construction sites pass on safety policies but fail to reinforce them, which leads to lapses in safety. A simple solution to this is posting signage around the worksite that provides critical safety information.

As long as workers know how to prevent heat illness, doing so is easy. Calculating the heat index, gauging fluid intake and scheduling rest breaks are effective at preventing heat stroke. Informational signage and heat cards can help remind workers to do all three.

There’s Safety in the Shade

The chances of heat stroke elevate when workers are directly exposed to the sun, and road construction workers are exposed to the sun for long stretches of time. There’s no getting away from it in some cases, and it’s impossible for people to cool down if they can’t. What’s worse, if shade is available, it may only be available for a short time, and that shaded area recently exposed to the sun will still be radiating heat.

Construction workers can avoid this problem by setting up tents on the jobsite. Tents are simple, yet perfect solutions to the no-shade problem, as long as companies select the right tent. In this case, the right tent is one that’s built with a metal frame, and preferably a heavy duty, aluminum frame. Aluminum is light, so it’s easy to carry and maneuver, and it’s corrosion resistant, so it can handle exposure to weather and air that’s heavy with salt.

Tents can be set up quickly and moved as needed, so as work shifts to another section of the road, the tents can be broken down and moved easily. Tents can also be kept in one spot throughout the day, and that keeps it cooler. Some tents come with walls, too, and this can insulate the inside from the heat outside. Combine the tent with a powerful fan, set up a hydration station inside, and workers have a place they can retreat to for rapid cooling.

Road construction crews are constantly challenged by heat stress, whether it comes from the environment, from exertion or from heated paving materials. Construction companies, their management and their crews must be aware of these heat risks at all times, as they can lead to debilitating heat exhaustion and potentially deadly heat stroke. With the right equipment and processes, though, it’s possible to stay on top of heat-related hazards and ensure workers are protected from heat stroke.

Five Ways to Improve Hydration in Heat and Keep Workers Safe

Heat Aware , ,

Keep Your Workers Safe with Proper Hydration

In 2013, there were more than 16,000 reports of heat illness that were serious enough to result in at least one day of missed work, according to the U.S. Office of Compliance. Among those reports, there were 38 fatalities due to heat illness. It is up to employers and supervisors to prevent these potentially-fatal outcomes, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a place of employment that is free from recognizable hazards.

Heat is a recognized danger, but employers can counter it by keeping their workers cool and hydrated.

Five Ways to Improve Hydration in Heat

As workers exert themselves, they rapidly lose water in the form of sweat. This is a critical means of controlling body temperature, and without constant rehydration, it’s a mechanism that eventually fails. Once the body can no longer control its temperature, heat illness is imminent, so it’s critical that it never gets to this point. Here’s how employers can ensure their workers are safe from the heat at all times:

  1. Verify that workers are rehydrating – It’s common for workers to neglect rehydration while focused on completing a task. Dehydration is something that usually emerges slowly, so workers may not realize how dehydrated they are until it starts causing problems. This is why workers shouldn’t be the only line of accountability when it comes to hydration.
    Employers can learn a lot just by observing their employees and determining which ones are neglecting rehydration. Many of these workers would be happy to take a break and rehydrate, but they may not realize how often they need to replenish their fluids. Employers can use reference materials, which may be as simple as a laminated card, to remind workers when it’s time to take a break.
  2. Keep track of changing weather conditions – Even a difference of a few degrees may make the difference where heat illness is concerned, so keep an eye on the thermometer. Even better, give each worker a way to keep track of the temperature so they know when they need to rehydrate more frequently. For example, when the heat index climbs above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, workers will need between 12 and 24 ounces of fluid every hour to remain hydrated. When the heat index rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, though, workers will need to double or triple their water intake to stay hydrated.
    If workers have their own temperature-keeping device on hand, they can react to climbing temperatures right away, and hydrate accordingly.
  3. Make use of shade – Drinking water and replenishing electrolytes are essential elements of staying hydrated, as is reducing temperatures when possible. It’s highly recommended that there is a shaded rest area on every worksite, even if that shade is provided by a tent. In fact, tents typically make the perfect shade solutions because they can be moved around when it’s convenient to do so. Tents are also a valuable source of shade when there are no other sources of shade to be had. Consider setting up a hydration station inside the tent, along with air movers to circulate air and improve cooling.
  4. Use cooling equipment – Keeping workers cool is one way to keep them hydrated, so any tools that improve cooling efforts are tools worth investing in. They don’t have to be expensive or complicated devices, either. For instance, a simple neck wrap can be soaked in cool water and applied to wick heat away from the worker. These neck wraps are inexpensive and can be used over and over. They also help workers remain comfortable as well, which enables better, more reliable performance while on the job.
  5. Know the signs of dehydration – Dehydration isn’t just a danger to the worker. Once dehydration sets in, job performance suffers greatly, to the point where the worker may become a safety risk to themselves and those around them. According to a 2015 study published by Loughborough University, being dehydrated is the equivalent of being legally drunk when evaluating job performance. Even a modest amount of fluid loss (2 to 3 percent of the body’s total) is enough to induce considerable fatigue.
    Dehydration can produce a range of symptoms, including headaches, tiredness, dizziness and an inability to concentrate. Perhaps the most obvious sign of dehydration is dark urine color. When urine takes on a darker hue, as in darker than apple juice, it’s frequently due to dehydration and reduced fluid in the urine.
    There should always be someone on the worksite to spot any signs of severe dehydration or heat illness. Oversight in this area will hopefully stop instances of dangerous dehydration before they progress into medical emergencies.

Hydration is vitally important in protecting workers from harm while on the job. It’s up to employers, then, to implement these hydration safety methods and ensure their workers are prepared to meet the summer heat.

Stay Safe in the Heat: Sports and Heat Awareness Tips

Heat Aware , ,

Whether you’re a coach or an athlete, there are several steps you can take to stay safe in the heat. With heat-related illnesses being an ever-present concern, here are some of the ways to stay heat aware and keep players and staff safe during practices and games:

  • Know the signs and symptoms of heat illness
  • Monitor on-field conditions in real time
  • Acclimate to high-risk conditions before intense exertion
  • Assess each athlete’s overall fitness level
  • Having a backup plan during periods of elevated heat risk
  • Establishing an emergency action plan (EAP) in the event heat stroke occurs

Among high school athletes, exertion-related heat stroke is a leading cause of preventable death. According to the National Federation of State School Associations (NFHS), 18 high school athletes have died due to heat exposure in the past 10 years during practice.

Athletes of all ages are at risk, not just children, so heat awareness is paramount at every level of competition. To help with that, here are some easily implemented and effective heat safety tips:

1) Know the Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illness

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can come on suddenly, especially when temperatures and humidity levels rise gradually. That means vigilance is the first step in preventing heat illnesses. If the team’s coaches and trainers are familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion, they can intervene before it progresses to heat stroke.

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

  • Heavy sweating
  • Cool skin that may be moist to the touch
  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea
  • Headache

If not treated, heat exhaustion may develop into heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Heat stroke presents with profound confusion, difficulty speaking, a dangerously high body temperature (more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit), and loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke deaths are completely preventable if coaches, teammates and parents act as soon as someone shows signs of heat illness.

Heat Aware's Heat Cards - HATS-20A | The signs, symptoms and treatment of heat illnesses2) Monitoring On-field Conditions in Real Time

Prompt care is important for heat illnesses, but prevention is the priority. That starts with monitoring on-field conditions and responding quickly if conditions become dangerous.

Throughout practice, take several temperature readings and pay close attention to humidity levels, wind patterns, and sun exposure. You don’t need bulky, sophisticated equipment to do this. A simple liquid crystal thermometer (LCT) can provide accurate temperature readings. LCTs are also weightless and compact, so they’re often integrated into ID badges, and because they’re cost effective, they can be distributed among coaching and trainer staff.

With temperature-taking tools like LCTs on hand, the coaching staff can keep a close eye on practice conditions and respond when they are no longer safe.

3) Acclimating to High-risk Conditions Before Intense Exertion

The vast majority of serious heat illnesses occur during the first few practices, before everyone has had a chance to adjust to the weather and activity levels. The NFHS recommends coaches implement a heat acclimation program that progresses over several weeks and prioritizes the following:

  • Shorter, less intense practices
  • Longer recovery periods between stretches of activity
  • Focusing initial practices on instruction instead of conditioning
  • Introducing protective gear slowly during initial practices

Longer breaks, plenty of water and fluids and minimal protective gear reduce the heat burden on athletes as they ramp up conditioning. This acclimation period also gives coaches the ability to identify anyone with an elevated risk of heat illness.

4) Assessing Each Athlete’s Overall Fitness Level

Prior to intense practices, it’s important for the team’s doctors to assess each athlete’s health and fitness levels. This includes identifying any medical conditions or medications that may place the person at a higher risk of heat illness. Examples include obesity, heart conditions, and certain mental illnesses (which can make it difficult to detect changes in temperature).

With this information, the team’s trainers can dedicate extra attention to anyone at elevated risk. This could include providing additional fluids, taking the athlete’s vitals more often, and developing an individualized plan for high-risk individuals.

5) Having a Backup Plan During Periods of Elevated Heat Risk

In some cases, the heat is too dangerous for any athlete to practice – regardless of fitness level. It is up to the coaching staff to recognize this and adjust accordingly. In fact, the NFHS recommends that teams have a “plan B” for those times when heat derails practice. For example, coaches may move activities to an indoor facility where air conditioning is available. Or, coaches may reduce practice intensity, switching to instruction instead of exertion.

Whatever the team’s plan B, it should be established before it needs to be implemented. Identify an alternative location or practicing method and communicate this to the entire team. That way, when the backup plan is needed, it can be quickly implemented.

6) Establishing an EAP for Heat Stroke Events

Another plan that every sports team needs is an emergency action plan for heat stroke. EAPs specify everything the team needs to know when a player develops heat stroke, including:

  • Where to take the patient for rapid cooling
  • What resources are available for treating heat stroke, and where they are located
  • Procedures for treating the patient, depending on presentation of symptoms
  • Who to contact if a player experiences heat stroke
  • Contact information for the team’s doctor or medical staff

An EAP formalizes the team’s response to a heat-related medical emergency and encourages a rapid response when it’s needed most. Serious complications due to heat stroke may be averted with prompt treatment, and an EAP increases the likelihood that it will be delivered.

Stay Heat Aware So the Team Stays Safe During Summer Sports

When the heat is on during the summer, so is the risk for athletes. To keep players safe and in the game, it’s up to everyone to practice heat awareness. That starts with vigilance – tracking on-field conditions, specifically. Temperature-taking tools like LCTs can make it easier to monitor conditions without stretching the team’s budget.

Why Heat Related Workplace Injuries Need to be a Top Priority to Occupational Health and Safety Managers

Heat Aware , ,

Heat related workplace injuries are a threat to employees in a number of heavy-duty industries, including:

  • Construction
  • Manufacturing
  • Oil and gas
  • Transportation
  • Warehousing
  • Food processing
  • Mining
  • Agriculture
  • Firefighting

Workers in these industries are at elevated risk of developing heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, elevating the need for safety measures being implemented for workplace injury protection. Occupational health and safety managers are responsible for implementing this heat-related protection, and there are proven methods for doing so. Here, we’ve included four ways occupational safety managers can make heat injury prevention a priority for their workplaces.

Heat Hazards in the Workplace: By the Numbers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is responsible for tracking workplace injuries, including heat related injuries. According to its 2011-2020 data, there were 33,890 heat injuries severe enough to result in missed work time. That’s an average of just under 3,400 heat-related illnesses in the workplace annually. The BLS’s fatal occupational injury census also estimates that between 1992 and 2021, 999 workers died due to environmental heat exposure. That’s an average of 33 fatalities every year.

However, the BLS data is believed to vastly underestimate the real problem due to the following factors:

  • Limitations in employee and employer reported data
  • Different interpretations of what constitutes a heat injury by medical personnel
  • Unreported health conditions that may have been exacerbated by heat exposure
  • Latent, late-onset symptoms caused by the heat illness
  • A large variance in heat illness symptoms and their influence on decision making

Together, these factors make it impossible to accurately gauge heat risks, and it’s likely that the number of heat injuries and illnesses is higher than reported.

Four Things Occupational Safety Managers Can Do to Make Heat Illnesses a Priority

Thousands of workers are injured every year by excessive heat exposure and dozens are killed. For businesses operating in high-risk industries, heat safety can be a matter of life and death. Here’s what employers can do to protect their workers from heat-related illness:

1) Establish a heat-specific safety plan

Employers are not required to author a safety plan, but they do help with regulatory compliance and are therefore highly recommended. A heat-specific safety plan goes a step further and prioritizes heat injury prevention.

Your heat safety plan should include the following:

  • Documentation that identifies the location and nature of all heat hazards. This could be a list, a diagram, a floor plan, or other supporting documentation
  • An inventory of all heat related medical supplies and their location
  • A list of emergency procedures should a worker develop heat illness
  • Contact information for a nearby medical facility
  • The names and contact information for everyone responsible for enforcing the safety plan

Your company’s heat safety plan is a primary safety training resource. As such, it should be used by managers to enforce heat illness prevention efforts and ensure all workers abide by them.

2) Make heat safety a priority with your safety signage

Heat safety is a matter of vigilance. It’s important for workers to always be prepared when environmental heat has reached unsafe levels or when exertion may cause unsafe conditions. To ensure your employees are always ready, consider investing in additional safety signage. Employers are required to point out potential workplace hazards, and safety signage is a proven way to do this.

Occupational safety signage can be customized for heat hazards and used to point out where workers are at a high risk of heat exposure. For example, such signage would be a good fit near:

  • Ovens
  • Furnaces
  • Foundries
  • Boiler rooms
  • Interior areas where sunlight is present
  • Areas where high exertion work is present

By placing heat safety signage near these areas, occupational health and safety managers can ensure their employees are on alert around high-risk areas.

3) Equip your workers with heat safety resources

Employees should have easy access to cooling stations that supply water, shade, air conditioning and rest. If a worker is affected by heat stress, moving them to one of these cooling stations is recommended for a rapid first line of treatment. Workers should also be given regular breaks where they can recover at a cooling station.

In addition to well-stocked cooling stations, occupational safety managers can protect their workers by providing them with valuable information. As the temperature and workplace conditions change, it’s important for workers to identify these changes as soon as they occur. One way to do this is to supply employees with temperature-taking tools like liquid crystal thermometers (LCTs). LCTs are light, easy to use and provide an accurate temperature reading within seconds. LCTs can also be integrated into employee TWIC cards, so workers can put them in an open toolbox, wear then on lanyards, or carry them in a pocket. In seconds, workers can get an accurate reading of current workplace conditions and adjust accordingly.

4) Train employees to recognize and respond to the signs of heat illness

No matter what heat safety measures your company has in place, your workers must be ready to respond to heat illness when it emerges. That means knowing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Those symptoms include:

  • Excessive sweating or complete lack of it
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Confusion
  • Loss of coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Elevated body temperature

If any signs of heat illness are present, your workers should have an emergency action plan (EAP) that kicks in immediately. Your EAP should specify any emergency response measures, point out the location of any emergency medical supplies, dictate where workers are to receive medical attention and who should be notified in the event of a heat related emergency.

Before beginning work in any hazardous environment, employees should be trained on the company’s EAP and on the nature of heat illness. New workers should also have time to acclimate to workplace heat sources and the company’s heat safety processes.

Make Heat Related Workplace Injuries a Priority With Improved Safety Standards

Heat hazards are a threat to workers, and the consequences of excessive heat exposure can be fatal. Occupational health and safety managers are the most important line of defense against deadly heat hazards, but safety managers have measures they can take to protect employees. Developing a heat safety plan, installing safety signage, investing in heat safety resources and focused safety training can make the difference in shielding workers from deadly heat exposure on the job.