What are OSHA Regulations for Heat in the Workplace, and How can you prevent Heat Related Illness?
Did you know heat-related illness can occur at temperatures as low as 65 degrees Fahrenheit with heavy workloads? Or that outdoor workers have died of heat stroke with a maximum Heat Index of 86 degrees? How do you know when to take action to reduce heat stress on your workers? What are the OSHA regulations for temperature in the workplace? To keep the people on your jobsite safe this summer, here are the OSHA regulations for heat and how you can prevent heat related illness.
WHAT ARE THE OSHA REGULATIONS FOR HEAT IN THE WORKPLACE?
As temperatures increase for the summer, what are an employer’s heat-related responsibilities? Under OSHA’S general duty clause, employers have a legal obligation to provide a workplace free of activities or conditions that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, including heat-related hazards.
OSHA HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
PROTECT NEW WORKERS
Almost half of heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s very first day on the job, and over 70% occur during a their first week. How can you protect new workers from heat related illness (HRI)? Our bodies need to get used to working in the heat, and new workers are often not acclimatized for higher levels of heat stress. Here are some steps to help them adjust:
- Give new workers more frequent breaks in heat stress conditions
- Help new workers identify heat stress and HRI symptoms
- Monitor new workers more closely
- Use a buddy system and don't leave them alone
TRAIN SUPERVISORS AND WORKERS ABOUT HEAT HAZARDS
New workers aren’t the only people who need to know about heat hazards. Supervisors and workers should be trained on HRI prevention and first aid. Do your employees know how to contact emergency medical services? Do they know the importance of staying hydrated? Do they know how personal risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, physical fitness and alcohol use affect them? A more informed workforce is a safer workforce.
MONITOR WHETHER HEAT STRESS IS TOO HIGH
There are two factors that contribute to HRI: environmental heat and metabolic heat generated from physical activity. How do you determine environmental heat? Looking at the temperature on your weather app is not enough. It’s important to consider air temperature, humidity, sunlight and air movement when evaluating conditions, as all four factors contribute to the environmental heat workers deal with.
Heat related illnesses (HRI) are more common for workers doing strenuous physical activity. Employers should monitor their workers’ activity level, especially when environmental heat is high. OSHA classifies workloads from rest to very heavy, with heavy and very heavy workloads carrying the greatest risk of HRI. Examples of each physical activity level are as follows:
- Rest— Sitting, Thinking.
- Light—Writing, driving, standing.
- Moderate—Raking, hammering nails, mopping, packing
- Heavy—Shoveling, roofing, welding, landscaping
- Very Heavy—Sledgehammer use, climbing stairs, using an axe
ENGINEER SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE HEAT STRESS
What’s the best way to lessen HRI risks from physical labor in hot environments? Engineer solutions to make the environment cooler and reduce workloads. Is there an air-conditioned space employees can take breaks in? How can you improve ventilation to get more air flow? Will cooling fans work better? How can you use conveyors or forklifts to reduce manual work? When the elements are against you, use your resources in your favor.
PROVIDE SUFFICIENT WATER, REST AND SHADE
Employers are responsible for providing cool water for their employees to drink, and for jobs over two hours, they should also provide access to additional fluids that contain electrolytes. How much is enough? Workers should drink at least eight ounces of water every 20 minutes whole working in the heat.
Rest is also important, and the frequency of breaks should increase as the level of heat stress increases. Because sunlight is one of the contributors to environmental heat, workers should have a cool, shady place to rest like an air-conditioned vehicle, cooling tent or nearby building
Working in extreme heat may be necessary, but it does not have to be dangerous if you take the right precautions. If you have questions about procedures and products that can help you beat the heat, contact us to get in touch with one of our safety experts.
