The solid waste and recycling industry requires us to work in all weather conditions including those that can create a potential for serious injury. Knowing the signs of heat related injury and acting quickly can prevent serious illness and may even save lives.
Will Flower
As an industry, we work very hard to protect our employees from injuries. Our focus on safety has increased dramatically over the years. Today, we have safety training and educational programs on a wide variety of safety subjects including the operation of heavy equipment, working around machinery and driving vehicles. Protecting workers from Mother Nature is also important—especially weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, lightning strikes and extreme heat.
As summer approaches and temperatures rise, managers and supervisors should remind workers that injury due to heat is a serious and potentially fatal work hazard. Taking steps to prevent heat related injury is very important because workers perform their jobs in hot and humid conditions.
Steps to Avoid Heat Related Injuries
- Education—At your next safety meeting, remind drivers and helpers that we are entering the summer months and temperatures will rise. Focus on prevention by drinking plenty of water throughout the work day, resting in shade and cooling off before injury occurs.
- Know the signs—Everyone needs to understand the signs of heat stress and, the more serious, heat stroke.
- Heat stroke is the extremely dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include: confusion, fainting, seizures, very high body temperature and hot, dry skin or profuse sweating. Immediately call 9-1-1 if a coworker shows signs of heat stroke.
- Heat exhaustion is also a serious illness. Symptoms include: headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst and heavy sweating.
- Heat stress is the first sign of working in excessive heat conditions and must be addressed to avoid more serious injury. Symptoms include red skin, sweating, fatigue and heat rash.
- Take Action—Make sure workers have water, rest and shade.
- Remind employees to drink plenty of water. During high temperatures, workers should be drinking water even if they are not thirsty.
- Take a rest in the shade to cool off.
- Wear a hat for protection from the sun.
- Know the signs of heat related injury and keep a watchful eye on fellow employees.
- Allow people to acclimate to the heat—Workers can build up a tolerance to summer heat. A sudden heat wave can be dangerous. Supervisors should also keep a close watch on new employees, temporary workers and employees who are returning to the job following a vacation or extended period away from the job. If a worker has not worked in hot weather for a week or more, their body needs time to adjust.
The solid waste and recycling industry requires us to work in all weather conditions including those that can create a potential for serious injury. The most important thing we can do to prevent injury and death from the heat is to be alert, be prepared and keep a close watch on workers. Knowing the signs of heat related injury and acting quickly can prevent serious illness and may even save lives.
If you need more information for your safety program, visit the OHSA Web site which provides excellent resources to combat heat related injury. In 2011, OSHA launched a Heat Illness Prevention Campaign that raised awareness of the dangers associated with working in hot weather. Visit www.osha.gov/heat to get more information on heat related injuries and how to stay safe when the heat is on.
Will Flower is the General Manager of Winters Bros. Waste Systems on Long Island, NY. Will has 32 years of experience in the area of solid waste management and environmental protection. He has held operational and executive leadership positions at the Director’s Office of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Waste Management, Inc., Republic Services. Inc. and Green Stream Recycling.
Share your safety tip. Submit your suggestions to Will Flower at [email protected].