By Billie-Marie Morrison, Esq.
According to the CDC, workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in an occupational illness or injury. Heat stress often manifests as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rashes, and dehydration, for example. Burns, which may blister, get infected, or scar, may also occur due to accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.
Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery or restaurant/kitchen workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, landscape/pool workers, factory workers, workers in the service/entertainment industry, electricians at solar fields or outside, and many others.
Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.
The prevention of heat stress in workers is critical, especially here in the desert. Employers should provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects health and safety, and how it can be prevented.
Employers should reduce workplace heat stress by using engineering and administrative (work practice) controls. An engineering control could be a change to the design of the workplace that reduces exposure to heat. Administrative controls are changes to tasks or schedules to minimize heat stress.
Examples of engineering controls include increasing air velocity; using reflective or heat-absorbing shielding or barriers and reducing steam leaks, wet floors, or humidity.
Work practice recommendations include limiting time in the heat and/or increasing recovery time spent in a cool area; reducing the metabolic (physically difficult) demands of the job; using tools intended to minimize manual strain; increasing the number of workers per task; train supervisors and workers about heat stress; use a buddy system where workers observe each other for signs of heat-related illnesses; require workers to conduct self-monitoring and create a work group to decide on self-monitoring; provide adequate amounts of cool, potable water near the work area and encourage workers to drink it often; and use a heat alert program whenever the weather service forecasts a heat wave.
Supervisors should also be trained on the following: implementing appropriate acclimatization, what procedures to follow when a worker has symptoms of heat-related illness including emergency response procedures, monitoring weather reports, responding to hot weather advisories, and monitoring and encouraging adequate fluid intake and rest breaks.
If your employer is not actively engaged in heat-stress reduction and education, please inform your Business Agent, Human Resources, or OSHA immediately.
If you or a loved one have complications caused by extreme heat in the workplace, please call our office for a free consultation.
