Safety

The Heat Is On

Be alert and be prepared. Heat related illnesses are preventable.

Jim Olson, Jerry Flower and Will Flower

Summers are notorious for being hot and humid and each year thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat. Some even die. Sanitation workers, including drivers, heavy equipment operators and laborers, are highly susceptible to heat-related illness because they spend a significant portion of their workday outdoors where they are engaged in physically demanding jobs. Additionally, mechanics and welders can also be at risk because they frequently work near hot machinery and wear heavy protective clothing.

Fortunately, heat related illness is preventable. With education, training and following some simple tips, workers can be protected. In 2011, the Labor Department launched a nationwide campaign to protect workers from heat related illness. The message was very simple—water, rest and shade. Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, stated, “If you’re working outdoors, you’re at risk for heat-related illnesses that can cause serious medical problems and even death. But heat illness can be prevented.”

The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) also reminds its members of the dangers of heat stroke. “As we move into the summer months, it is very important for workers and employers to take the steps necessary to stay safe in extreme heat,” said David Biderman, director of NSWMA’s safety programs. “Drinking water often, taking breaks and limiting time in the heat are simple, effective ways to prevent heat illness.”

How the Body Keeps You Cool

When a person works in a hot environment, the body regulates its temperature by getting rid of excess heat to maintain a stable internal temperature. It typically expels heat primarily through circulating blood close to the skin and through sweating. During hot weather, especially in climates with high humidity, sweating may not be enough. When the air temperature is close to or warmer than normal body temperature, cooling of the body becomes more difficult. If blood circulating near the skin cannot lose its heat, sweating becomes the main way the body cools off. But sweating is effective only if the humidity level is low enough to allow evaporation and if the fluids and salts that are lost are adequately replaced.

When the body cannot get rid of excess heat, it begins to store the heat and the body’s core temperature increases. The heart may start to pump faster as it attempts to keep blood moving near the skin giving an individual a flushed red appearance. As the body continues to store heat, the core temperature rises and the person may begin to lose concentration and have difficulty focusing on a task, may become irritable or sick, and often loses the desire to drink. At this point, medical attention may be needed to help the victim and prevent more serious illness. If not treated, a worker may experience heat stroke and will stop sweating and may faint or pass out as the body attempts to slow down. Once a victim reaches this stage, emergency medical intervention is needed to help save the victim’s life.

Take Precautions

As we get into the hotter months, workers and supervisors need to be aware that extreme heat can lead to serious heath problems. It is important to prepare for the heat and guard against injury. Employers and supervisors should educate workers about the dangers of heat and train them to notice the signs of heat stress. Injury by heat illness can be prevented by remembering three simple words: water, rest, shade. These simple guidelines will greatly reduce risk to heat illnesses for workers in the waste and recycling industry. Employees and workers should engage in the following activities and follow simple tips to protect those workers who are at risk:

  • Training employees—Employers should include training on both the precautions and symptoms of heat illness at all safety briefings before and during the summer months.

  • Allow workers to get acclimated to heat—Workers who are suddenly exposed to working in a hot environment face additional and generally avoidable hazards to their safety and health. New workers and those returning from vacation or time away from their jobs are especially vulnerable. Workers should gradually build up their tolerance to heat over five to seven days (may take up to one to two weeks). Workers who are new to working outdoors in the heat or have been away from work for a week or more may need special reminders about the prevention of injury from heat. Allowing for more frequent breaks helps new workers, and those returning to a job after time away, build up a tolerance for hot conditions.

  • Take breaks—Employers should encourage workers to take more frequent breaks during extremely high temperatures. Employers who fail to provide such breaks may be seriously endangering the safety of their workers.

  • Stay hydrated—Drinking enough water is critical. In the course of a day’s work in the heat, a worker may produce as much as 2 to 3 gallons of sweat. To avoid dehydration, make sure a worker’s water intake during the workday is about equal to the amount of sweat produced. Most workers exposed to hot conditions drink fewer fluids than needed because they’re just not thirsty. Workers in extreme heat should drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes to replenish the necessary fluids in their bodies. Do not drink alcohol or energy drinks (highly caffeinated drinks) which can make heat illness worse.

  • Avoid overexertion—During periods of extreme heat, workers need to pace themselves and their workload. Avoid exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Employers need to understand that during extreme temperatures a route may take a little longer to complete due to workers’ need for more breaks.

  • Find shade—Workers who work in the direct sun such as employees at a landfill where there are no trees or shade can be at risk to heat illness. Getting out of direct sunlight and finding some share can be very helpful in allowing the body to regulate itself.

  • Keep an eye on the weather—Employers and employees should listen to weather reports and pay attention to the Heat Index which tells how hot it feels in the shade when relative humidity combines with the air temperature. Employers and employees should be extra careful when the heat index is 90 degrees or above. They should also pay attention to rising temperatures, increasing humidity increases, strong sun and no air movement. These natural conditions can contribute to heat stress among workers.

  • Pay attention to clothing and work conditions—Workers and supervisors should also be alert when protective clothing or gear is worn, work is strenuous and when there are no controls, such as fans, being used to reduce the impacts of equipment that radiates heat.

  • Eat Right—Avoid heavy meals. Light meals which include fruits and vegetables will benefit workers.

  • Be mindful of hours of service—Workers who are logging long work hours in extreme heat and high humidity can be especially at risk of heat related illnesses. Carefully monitoring workers’ hours of service can help identify potential problems related to exposure to extreme conditions.

Stages of Heat Related Illness

There are three stages of heat related illness:

  1. Heat cramps often happen due to drinking large quantities of water. Heavy sweating combines the loss of water and salts in the body. You will get muscle cramps, the skin will be moist and warm and breathing heavy. Watch your exertion and hydrating with sports drinks can help, just watch how much you consume. Again, avoid highly caffeinated energy drinks. Workers should try to replenish liquids with same amount that they sweat out.

  2. Heat exhaustion is a form of shock, and is the next phase the body goes into. Breathing will be rapid and shallow; the skin will be cold and clammy. It is important to cool the person down and get fluids in a conscious person. Never try to give fluids to an unconscious person.

  3. Heat stroke is a true emergency and medical support must be provided ASAP. Breathing will be deep and then shallow, the skin will be hot and dry, and no sweating and many times the person will become unconscious. Cool the person as rapidly as possible and get immediately medical help.

Know the Signs

It’s important to know and look out for the symptoms of heat related illness. Employees must be aware of the symptoms for themselves and need to keep a careful watch on their fellow workers during hot weather. The following is a list of warning signs that employers, supervisors and employees should watch for as an indication of potential injury from heat:

  • Extremely red skin

  • Pale skin 

  • Muscle cramps

  • Weakness

  • Dizziness or stumbling

  • Sweating profusely 

  • Rapid pulse

  • Fast, shallow breathing

An employee experiencing any of these symptoms may be experiencing heat illness and should take immediate action to get out of the heat quickly and rest in a cool, shady place. If the symptoms persist and an employee does not feel better within 30 minutes, contact an experienced health care provider.

If heat exhaustion isn’t treated, it can progress to heat stroke. The first sign of heat stroke can be no or limited sweating. In these cases, immediate and emergency actions are required to save the victim’s life. If any of the following conditions exist, immediate medical treatment must be provided:

  • Skin that feels hot and dry, but not sweaty

  • Confusion or loss of consciousness

  • Severe headache

  • Nausea or frequent vomiting

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. People with heat stroke may have seizures or go into a coma. If you suspect heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Move the victim to a cooler location, remove heavy clothing, fan the body and wet it down with a cool sponge or cloth, and encourage the individual to drink cool fluids. At the hospital, the victim probably will be given fluids intravenously. Having heat exhaustion or heat stroke makes you more sensitive to heat illness for about a week afterwards.

People taking certain medications may also be at greater risk to heat related industry. There are many medications also can put you in danger of heat stroke including:

  • Allergy medicines 

  • Cough and cold medicines 

  • Some blood pressure and heart medicines

  • Diet pills (amphetamines)

  • Irritable bladder and irritable bowel medicines 

  • Laxatives

  • Some mental health medicines

  • Seizure medicines

  • Thyroid pills

  • Water pills

Employees should always talk with their doctor about what medicines they are taking. He or she can tell you if your medicine puts you at risk for heat stroke.

Heat related illness is a serious matter especially in the summer months. Taking precautions, knowing the signs to watch for and planning for an emergency situation can save lives.

Jim Olson is the Vice President of Safety and Environmental Compliancefor Republic Services, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ). He is responsible for all of the safety programs which affect 30,000 employees at Republic Services, Inc. Jim can be reached at [email protected]

Jerry Flower is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, firefighter and former fire chief. He currently serves as a Fire Marshal in Nassau County, NY in the Hazardous Materials Division.

Will Flower has 28 years of experience in the field of environmental protection. He has worked at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Waste Management and Republic Services. Will can be reached through his web site at www.willflower.com.

Sidebar

Available Resources to Help Keep Employees Safe

The Heat Watch Web Page

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere. They have an excellent Web page to help employers and workers forecast extreme temperatures that can lead to heat related illness. The Heat Watch Web page is available at www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php.

Free Worker Education Resources

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has excellent educational resources available to help keep workers safe during the summer heat. There are also training tools for employers to use and posters to display at their worksites. Many of the new resources target vulnerable workers with limited reading skills or who do not speak English as a first language.

OSHA has also developed a Web page to provide workers and employers with useful, up-to-date information on occupational heat exposure. Visit the following Web site to get information on heat illness—including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency—for workers and employers: www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html.

OSHA provides a free on-site consultation for small businesses with fewer than 250 workers at a site (and no more than 500 employees nationwide). Onsite consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. To locate the OSHA Consultation Office nearest you, call (800) 321-6742 or visit www.osha.gov.

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