Heat Illness Prevention Programs by Gary Hanson

WORKPLACE SAFETY UPDATE

PREVENTING HEAT ILLNESS

Gary Hanson, American Safety & Health

Each year, hundreds of employees who are required to work in hot environments or outside in direct sun light suffer heatrelated illnesses, ranging from heat cramps to heat stroke.

There are precautions that should be taken anytime temperatures rise into the middle 80s and when physical labor is required.

We recommend establishing a Heat Illness Prevention Program. I've listed a few tips below to get you started. You may also find the infographic on the next page helpful, along with other resources available for download from OSHA's website at osha.gov/heat-exposure.

Tips for Protecting Your Employees from Heat Illness:

• Have employees gradually increase work loads. New employees may be especially at risk.

• Designate a responsible manager or lead person to monitor work conditions.

• Have cool water or replacement fluids available.

• Ask employees to wear appropriate protective clothing: • Sun hat • Lightweight, light colored, and loose fitting clothing • Sunglasses with UV protection • Sunscreen

• Provide employee training on the symptoms and hazards leading to heat-related illnesses.

• Know what to do if an employee suffers a heat-related illness.

• Where possible, modify work schedules and provide more frequent work breaks. Summertime can pose serious risk to employees who work in greenhouses or outside in direct sunlight. Employees who will be at risk need to be protected.

Put together a plan to prevent heat stress, train your employees, monitor weather conditions, and have emergency procedures in place.

Remember: Safety Has to be Proactive Not Reactive. If you have any safety problems or need help with your safety program, please call me on my cell at 330.495.3437 or at my office at 330.854.4577.