Occupational heat stress continues to plague industries that require workers to perform outdoor tasks during the hot summer months, as well as in indoor environments with furnaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to excessively high temperatures leads to 67,512 emergency room visits, 9,235 hospitalizations, and 702 fatalities in the United States each year.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 3,389 workers sustain injuries or ailments as a direct result of laboring under unsustainably hot conditions. Given that high temperature remains the leading weather-related reason for death in the U.S., improved heat stress safety measures are desperately needed.

Industries that Present Significant Risk of Occupational Heat Stress

In order to implement effective preventative measures for heat stress, it’s essential to understand how high temperatures impact the human body. Our normal core body temperature hovers between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 98.6-degree average.

To maintain a healthy baseline, without aid from air conditioning or other coolants, the surrounding conditions must be approximately 82 degrees. Needless to say, workers in the following sectors are routinely exposed to conditions that run 20 or more degrees higher.

  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Commercial Kitchens
  • Construction and Utilities
  • Fire Departments & First Responders
  • Foundries and Smelting Plants
  • Heavy Equipment Operations
  • Landscaping, Facilities Support, Maintenance, and Repair
  • Manual Labor
  • Manufacturing Facilities
  • Transportation and Warehousing
  • Oil and Gas Operations
  • Recreation and Amusement

 

Along with employers providing breathable, lightweight personal protective clothing and equipment, preventative measures for heat stress must communicate the severity of these workplace situations. Supervisors must know when to reduce physical labor, and each worker needs to be able to recognize telltale signs of heat-related health issues.

Recognizing Signs of Heat Stress & Other Conditions

There are a wide range of ailments that are directly related to high temperatures, as well as underlying conditions that can be triggered. Workers would be well-served to undergo regular physicals and take precautionary steps if a health issue could be exacerbated when the thermometer spikes. These rank among the common early warning signs of heat exhaustion and stroke.

  • Dizziness & Cramps
  • Heavy Sweating
  • Losing Consciousness
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Pulse Begins to Race
  • Reddening Skin that is Warm to the Touch
  • Severe Fatigue

 

It’s difficult for non-medical professionals to tell the difference between exhaustion and heatstroke, which is even more dangerous. That’s why it’s prudent to err on the side of caution and call 911 if someone appears to struggle. While waiting for medical attention, get out of the sun or away from the heat source and take steps to cool down, such as applying cool compresses.

Preventative Measures for Heat Stress

Taking preventative measures to avoid heat stress conditions reduces the risk of injury, illness and workplace fatalities. Body heat management efforts such as staying adequately hydrated are common sense. However, there are a wide range of steps workers can take to reduce the effects of performing tasks under adverse weather conditions.

  • Avoid Alcoholic Beverages: Beer, wine, and liquor are all considered diuretics that also lower your blood pressure. Both of these side effects place workers at increased risk of a heat-related condition.
  • Avoid Large Meals: When we eat too much, the body is forced to expend a great deal of digestive energy, which can raise our body temperature. Eating smaller and more frequent meals allows workers to get the calories and nutrition they require, without heightening health risks. Workers may also find that fruits and vegetables are easier to digest and provide added hydration.
  • Avoid Caffeine: Although coffee and tea may help workers wake up in the morning, they are also well-known diuretics. Continuing to drink caffeinated beverages can result in dehydration.
  • Avoid Weight Loss Medications:Seemingly safe, over-the-counter weight loss products are not good fits for people who work in extreme heat. They can impede your body’s heat management abilities.
  • Avoid Fatty & Sugary Foods: High-fat content foods tend to increase metabolic heat production. Likewise, eating or drinking sugary products causes blood pressure to spike, followed by fatigue and dehydration.
  • Be Wary of Antihistamines:Products such as Benadryl and anti-allergy medications typically cause blood vessels to tighten. When this occurs near the skin, it can reduce the body’s heat management efficiency.
  • Avoid Laxatives. These medicines increase the volume of water leaving the body, which means workers have fewer fluids available for the body’s heat-mitigation processes such as sweating.
  • Be Cautious with Beta-Blockers: Beta-blockers help prevent dangerous heart issues such as A-fib and reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions. They can also reduce internal heat transfer processes.

It’s also important to note that a variety of prescription drugs may not be suitable when working in searing conditions. Ritalin and Adderall reportedly raise body temperature through stimulation.

Speak to your primary care provider about prescription medication side effects and whether they are appropriate for your job. Medical advice, guidance, and opinions should only be provided by or from licensed medical professionals.

Implementing Necessary Heat Stress Safety Measures

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests that employees who are accustomed to working in hot environments can be steadily re-acclimated. OSHA recommends starting this class of workers at 50 percent exposure on their first day, followed by 60, 80, and 100 percent respectively.

By contrast, people who have not previously been acclimated to such conditions should undergo a regimen that starts at 20 percent and increases by 20 percent each day. In addition to allowing the body to adjust to working conditions, these are occupational heat stress safety measures for employers to consider.

Proper Use of Commercial Fans

Industrial fans are excellent tools for circulating fresh, breathable air and cooling workers. However, there is a point of diminishing returns when fans are used as a primary cooling resource.

When humidity levels exceed 50 percent, or the temperature reaches 100 degrees (Fahrenheit), using fans can have a negative effect. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that fans should not be deployed when the temperature reaches 104 degrees. That’s because they are only circulating hot air, instead of cooling workers.

Modify Work Schedules

Company safety officials must strongly advocate for worker health protections by insisting that schedules be altered to account for intense heat. For example, it’s not uncommon for road construction crews to have a late evening start time. By doing this, workers are not exposed to harsh UV rays or peak afternoon temperatures.

Implement Environmental Controls

Commercial-grade fans may not help cool people down when triple-digits arrive, but there are other ways to reduce heat exposure. Air conditioning units are obvious solutions for indoor occupational use. In cases such as foundries and facilities with furnaces, exposed workers can take periodic breaks in air-conditioned spaces.

It may also be feasible to employ products and materials that shield employees from direct sunlight. These may involve overhead netting, fencing panels, and materials that reduce the amount of sunlight reflecting off surfaces.

Hydration & Recovery Stations

Creating a defined location for hydration and shade helps raise awareness about the dangers of health-related ailments. Employers can establish hydration stations that are out of direct sunlight. It’s also prudent to educate employees regarding how much fluid is needed during heat waves. OSHA recommends one cup every 20 minutes.

Consider posting heat-illness related safety information and charts in rest and hydration areas. Having these resources readily available in common areas helps provide life-saving information and resources for workers.

Heat-Appropriate Personal Protective Clothing

When selecting protective clothing and accessories, it’s essential to consider how these products’ construction and materials account for environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures. For example, garments made of nonwoven fabric are more breathable than protective clothing made of woven materials, like cotton.

Stockpiling an inventory of lightweight, nonwoven garments provides workers with a robust defense against chemical burns and hazardous material contact while reducing the unnecessary risk of heat stress.

In terms of protective clothing, look for nonwoven garments with a high Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR). This means the fabric allows heat and moisture vapor to escape the garment to avoid trapping heat near the body.