• 18
  • August
    2011

During the dog-days of summer, workers are at greater risk of heat related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope and heat cramps. Heat related illnesses and the dangers associated with heat, do not just affect workers that primarily work outside. Indoor workers who work around machinery, boilers or in confined spaces are just as susceptible to heat illnesses.

Symptoms of Heat Illnesses

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the symptoms of heat-related illnesses include:

  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Profuse or heavy sweating
  • Fast, shallow breathing
  • Clammy skin
  • Pale or flushed complexion
  • Hallucinations
  • Chills
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Slurred speech
  • Headache

Heat related illnesses, specifically heat stroke, pose the risk of great injury or death. If you or you notice another worker experiencing any of the above symptoms it is important to seek out proper care.

Heat Safety Tips

In order to keep workers safe, NIOSH offers safety tips to both employers and employees.

Tips for employers include:

  • Schedule work for the cooler parts of the day
  • Slowly acclimate workers to heat by progressively scheduling longer periods of work in hot environments
  • Increase rest/water breaks and provide cold water or other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic and/or low-sugar beverages
  • Minimize or reduce physical demands
  • Monitor workers who are working in hot environments

Tips for employees include:

  • Slowly build up to heavy work
  • Take plenty of breaks
  • Drink plenty of water or other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic and/or low-sugar beverages
  • Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, breathable clothing
  • Pay attention self and co-workers for the warning signs of heat-related illnesses

Other Heat-Related Risks

In addition to heat-related illnesses, workers who are exposed to heat and become dehydrated are susceptible to other work-related injuries. The affects of dehydration that put workers at greater risk of work-related injury include impairment to short-term memory, vision, attention span or cognitive ability.

Because summer increases the risk of heat-related accidents and illnesses, it is important that employers and workers monitor fellow workers so that everyone remains safe on the job.

Source: Managing Workers' Comp: Taking the Stress Out of Heat