Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705621
18 • august 2016 • world fence news OSHA reminds employers to protect outdoor workers from heat illness DALLAS – With sweltering tem- peratures baking many parts of the nation this summer, the U.S. Depart- ment of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers to protect their outdoor workers from heat illness. As part of its Campaign to Pre- vent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers, OSHA offers a free Heat Safety Tool downloadable app that calculates a worksite's heat index and displays a risk level to outdoor workers. With a simple click, users can get reminders about protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness. The tool is available in En- glish and Spanish. Water, rest and shade: Three sim- ple words can mean the difference between life and death when tem- peratures soar. Remember, protecting workers from rising temperatures is about more than their comfort. Heat illness can be deadly The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, es- pecially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if you don't drink enough water and rest in the shade. You can suffer from heat ex- haustion or heat stroke. In 2014, 2,630 workers suffered from heat illness and 18 died from heat stroke and related causes on the job. Heat illnesses and deaths are pre- ventable. Employers must protect workers from excessive heat Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from ex- treme heat. An employer with workers ex- posed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness pre- vention program, including: • Providing workers with water, rest and shade. • Allowing new or returning workers to gradually increase work- loads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a toler- ance for working in the heat. • Planning for emergencies and training workers on prevention. • Monitoring workers for signs of heat illness, including: – Dizziness – Headache – Sweaty skin – Weakness – Cramps – Nausea, vomiting – Fast heart beat – Red, hot, dry skin – High body temperature – Confusion – Convulsions – Fainting To prevent heat related illness and fatalities: – Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you are not thirsty. – Rest in the shade to cool down. – Wear a hat and light-colored clothing. – Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an emergency. – Keep an eye on fellow workers. – "Easy does it" on your first days of work in the heat. You need to get used to it. Working in full sunlight can in- crease heat index values by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this in mind and plan additional precautions for work- ing in these conditions. Who is affected? Any worker exposed to hot and humid conditions is at risk of heat illness, especially those doing heavy work tasks or using bulky protective clothing and equipment. Some workers might be at great- er risk than others if they have not built up a tolerance to hot conditions, including new workers, temporary workers, or those returning to work after a week or more off. All workers are at risk during a heat wave. Industries most affected by heat-related illness are construction; trade, transportation and utilities; agriculture; building, grounds main- tenance; landscaping services; and support activities for oil and gas op- erations. What to do if a worker becomes ill? • Call a supervisor for help. If a supervisor is not available, call 911. • Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives. For more information about OS- HA's Campaign to Prevent Heat Ill- ness in Outdoor Workers, visit the web site www.osha.gov/heat. (Editor's note: This could be a great subject for a Tool Box Talk.)