Safety Meeting: Preventing Heat Illness

When the body heats up faster than it can cool itself, mild to severe illness may develop. Air temperature, humidity, and clothing can increase the risk of developing heat-related illness. Other contributing factors include age, weight, physical fitness, and nutrition. Alcohol, drug use, or pre-existing diseases like diabetes can also play a role.

What your employees need to know about symptoms of heat-related illness

Someone with a mild reaction to heat may have a rash called prickly heat. They can also have painful muscle spasms called heat cramps. These can happen during or after a work-related activity. A mild reaction may also include fatigue, dizziness, a change in physical or mental performance, or a sudden change in their behavior.

A moderate reaction to heat is heat exhaustion. A person could be sweating a lot. They could have cold, moist, pale, or flushed skin. They might have thirst, extreme weakness or fatigue, as well as a headache, nausea, a lack of appetite, a rapid weak pulse, or giddiness. If not treated, the victim may collapse.

In severe cases of heat illness, heat stroke may result. This is an emergency! With heat stroke, the victim’s face flushes red and their skin is hot and dry with no sweating. They could develop a severe headache with deep, rapid breathing, a very high fever, and may become delirious. They may become unconscious, have convulsions, or lapse into a coma. This condition could be fatal without emergency medical treatment—call for medical help immediately. In the meantime, get the victim out of the hot environment. Loosen clothing and pour water over the entire body. Get air circulating around the body.

It's important to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and then take steps to prevent and control it. This can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing heat illness and keep your workers safe on the job.

WHEN SYMPTOMS OCCUR

Move anyone with mild or moderate symptoms to a cool, shaded place with circulating air. Have them lie down and, if conscious, have them sip cool water at frequent intervals. If symptoms continue, seek medical attention.

What your employees need to do to avoid heat illness

Drink water throughout the day. Do not wait to become thirsty. Instead drink small amounts of water frequently, but at a minimum, 4 cups of water per hour. Also, keep water as close as practicable, the importance of doing this cannot be overstated. In some heat related deaths, water was available but workers did not drink it because it was not close to them.

Other steps to follow include

Limit exposure time and/or temperature – try to schedule hot jobs for cooler times of the day or cooler seasons of the year. Take rest breaks in cool areas. Add more workers to reduce workload or reduce the workday.
Take time to acclimate – workers are at greatest risk with the sudden onset of heat. Gradually exposing a worker to heat will help the body adapt when the temperature rises, thus reducing the likelihood of experiencing heat illness.
Implement engineering controls – start the shift earlier or later (during the cooler hours of the day) or cut the shift short. Increasing air movement with fans or coolers can also help.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing – clothing can affect heat buildup.
Avoid using salt tablets – taking salt tablets can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers, and seriously affect workers with heart disease.
Immediately report any signs or symptoms to a supervisor – a worker needs to report symptoms they have or if they witness heat illness symptoms in a coworker.

NOTE TO EMPLOYERS

When someone displays possible signs or symptoms of heat illness initiate your emergency procedures.

What to cover at your safety meeting about heat illness

You’ll want to remind your employees where to find the water you provide and encourage them to drink. Go over cool down and rest breaks and explain that they should not wait until they feel sick.

When the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees, California’s high heat procedures take effect. Ensure that effective communication is maintained regularly and remind employees of their right to take a cool-down rest period as necessary. A pre-shift meeting needs to take place to review high heat procedures before the start of work.

Also, show the employees what’s in your heat illness prevention plan and where to find it.

Summer heat is a way of life in California, and adjusting to it is critical to the success of your business. The National Weather Service provides the latest information about weather hazards throughout the state. Bookmark the page, check back often, and then take the necessary precautions to help protect your employees no matter how hot it gets.