ISSUES
Heat stress tragedies can be avoided if you and your foreman take actions to protect new workers. Throughout this toolbox, that term refers to “workers who are new to working in warm environments,” including the following groups:
- New, temporary, or existing employees who start new work activities:
a. In warm or hot environments, especially during weather transition periods
b. While wearing additional clothing (e.g., chemical protective clothing), which makes it more difficult for the body to cool
c. Involving increased physical activity - Workers returning to work environments with potential exposure to heat hazards after an absence of one week or more, such as returning from any kind of extended leave.
- Workers who continue working through seasonal changes when temperatures and humidity first begin to increase in the spring or early summer.
- Workers who work on days when the weather is significantly warmer and there is more humidity than on previous days (i.e., a heat wave).
In all examples above, you may not be used to the heat loads on that day. Everyone is at an increased risk of heat-related illness because of physiological changes (related to body function and exertion) and/or behavioral factors.
SOURCES OF HAZARDS
- Unacclimated workers do not sweat efficiently, and during temperature swings, a worker’s sweat contains more salt. Additionally, body temperature and heart rate increase more quickly when working, which causes nonoptimal blood flow for heat dissipation. Other factors, such as general physical fitness, may affect the acclimatization process.
- Acclimated workers have a higher sweat rate, which helps dissipate heat through evaporative cooling. Their sweat contains less salt, which prevents electrolyte imbalances. Additionally, they maintain a lower body temperature and heart rate, increasing blood flow to the skin to lose heat through the body surface.
Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States. Over the last few decades, unusually hot summer days and nights have become more common across the contiguous 48 states, and it is expected that extreme heat events will occur with greater frequency. Thus, heat-related deaths have also increased and are expected to continue to increase. Although these increases may be tempered as people physiologically adapt to higher temperatures and temperature swings, acclimated workers have less risk.
REGULATIONS
On October 27, 2021, OSHA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings in the Federal Register. With this publication, OSHA began the rulemaking process to consider a heat-specific workplace standard.
A standard specific to heat-related injury and illness prevention would more clearly set forth employer obligations and the measures necessary to protect employees more effectively from hazardous heat. The ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce the number of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by exposure to hazardous heat.
The comment period closed on January 26, 2022. OSHA received 965 unique comments from stakeholders, which are available at:
www.regulations.gov/document/OSHA-2021-0009-0001
EXAMPLE INCIDENTS – THE FACTS
From 1992 to 2022, 334 construction workers lost their lives to heat exposure on the job, meaning that the construction sector accounted for about 34 percent of all occupational heat-related deaths. The number of heat-related deaths in the construction sector peaked at 18 deaths in both 2010 and 2011.
THE BASICS
To protect new workers from heat-related illness, employers should:
- Schedule new workers for shorter amounts of time in the heat (e.g., separated by breaks) during high heat conditions.
- Give new workers more frequent rest breaks.
- Train new workers about heat stress, symptoms of heat-related illness, and the importance of rest and proper hydration (cold liquids with electrolytes).
- Monitor new workers closely for any symptoms of heat-related illness.
- Use a buddy system and do not allow new workers to work alone.
- If new workers talk about or show any symptoms of overheating, allow them to stop working and initiate first aid. Never leave someone alone who is experiencing symptoms.
These increased precautions should last for one to two weeks. After that time, new workers should be acclimatized to the heat and can safely work a normal schedule.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Recognizing Heat Illness – Symptoms range from heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke. If you or another worker experiences:
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Abnormal thinking or behavior
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Slurred speech
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Seizures
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Fainting
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Headache or nausea
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Weakness or dizziness
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Elevated body temperature
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Thirst
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Decreased urine output
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Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
Actions to Take:
a. Call 911 immediately.
b. Cool the worker right away with water or ice.
c. If possible, move the person to a cooler or shaded area.
d. Stay with the worker until help arrives.
IMPORTANT DO’S FOR HEAT STRESS
- Have a system and protocols for emergencies and first aid.
- Designate someone to oversee the heat safety program.
- Provide training on heat illness on a regular basis.
- Provide workers with a period for acclimatization.
- Begin with a 20% exposure on the first day, increasing by no more than 20% each following day. Full acclimatization may take up to 14 days or longer.
- Modify work schedules to reduce heat exposure.
- Reschedule non-essential outdoor or indoor work for days with a reduced heat index.
- Shift physically demanding work to cooler times of the day.
- Rotate workers, add extra workers, or split shifts to reduce exposure to heat and ease workloads.
- Allow frequent breaks long enough for recovery.
- Stay hydrated – and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and energy drinks. Recommended options include water, sports drinks, onion juice, cold water with lemon, a teaspoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Stop work if there is any indication of excessive heat exposure.
- Download the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App: https://www.osha.gov/heat/heat-app
IMPORTANT DON’TS FOR HEAT STRESS
- Do not ignore any symptoms you are having.
- Do not ignore any symptoms others are having.
