As an employer, you should take the needed precautions to safeguard your labor workers regularly situated outdoors in standing heat. This is mandated in California, so if your business is located there, make sure to comply. Employees suffer from heat related illnesses (or hyperthermia) when bodies are not able to cool themselves properly, which is normally achieved by body sweating. An extremely high body temperature can damage one’s brain and his other vital organs.

There are some things one must know and keep in mind regarding this type of illness and injury. For one, early intervention can prevent heat related illnesses from worsening. If undiagnosed in its early signs and stages, problems may lead to some serious and dangerous medical emergencies.

Employees need to be trained on how to properly care and protect one’s self from the heat. Don’t just focus on giving them water and shading. Also, know that besides working outdoors, certain conditions can worsen heat stress. Age, overweight (obesity), current illnesses (or fever), dehydration, heart problems, blood pressure problems, circulation problems, sunburn, strenuous physical work and activity, and the use of prescription drugs or alcohol.

You and your employees must be familiarized with symptoms of heat related illnesses. Swelling of the feet and ankles, sunburn, rash breakout, dizziness, headaches, profuse sweating, muscle cramps, feelings of fainting or actual fainting, and rapid heart beats are some of the more common signs of heat related illnesses. The Ontario Ministry of Labor (Canada) has come up with a guide that includes symptom charts and treatment recommendations. This guide is available at http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/guidelines/gl_heat.html.

Carefully observe and assess the working environment. Be aware of hot conditions which are way above normal. Determine the current or the more recommendable location of both shade and water. See the necessary adjustments which must be made and resolve replenishment issues. Employer guidelines are available at www.occupationalhazards.com. Also, OSHA gives a factor list which can be found at http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#iii:4_1.

Schedule regular training for all your employees. Make sure that training sessions cover steps to avoiding heat stress, symptom recognition and awareness, proper reporting and treatment, proper location of water and shade, and knowledge of medical facilities. OSHA has a guide available in both Spanish and English. Other resources may be found at: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp, http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/heat.html, and http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3166/osha3166.html.

Supervisors must receive comprehensive training as well. They themselves need to know what heat stress signs to look out for, how and who to report to in cases of heat stress illnesses, immediate (first-aid) treatment and regular treatment for employees who suffer from heat stress, emergency contact numbers, and medical facility availability and location for treating the injured and the ill. A good guide for supervisors is SHA Publication 3154, (Eng and Span)
(http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.html).

Screen current workers and worker applicants for any condition that will make them unfit for outside work. It is unwise to hire those with heart ailments and weight problems as they are susceptible to heat stress illnesses. For current workers, ensure enough shelter and abundant water supply. Make sure that scheduled breaks are followed to give their body ample time to cool them. Never allow them to exert long hours of physical work.

Tags: first aid intervention, Heat Related Illnesses, Hyperthermia, safety training