Staying Safe On-the-Job During Summer

With the weather getting warmer, you may be looking forward to not having to worry about icy conditions when driving and working, not having to wear so many layers, and not worrying about frostbite. However, there are just as many, if not more, dangers when working in hot weather. Stay safe this summer on and off the job site by following these tips.

• Drink plenty of water. Then drink more water.

  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks, including energy drinks.

  • You can lose up to 2 liters of fluid per day through sweat. Drinking more water than usual helps counteract that loss of hydration.

  
  

• Take breaks in cool/shaded places.

  
  

• Use sunscreen rated at SPF 15 or higher. Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes.

  • Loose fitting clothes allow for sweat to more effectively regulate body temperature by evaporating.

  • DO NOT remove your shirt if you're feeling too warm, even if you put on sunscreen. Sunscreen does not prevent skin cancer. It's more effective to wear light-colored cotton clothes.

• When checking the weather, don't just look at the temperature. Look at the heat index for a more accurate idea of how temperature and humidity will affect you.

• If you'll need to be doing strenuous activity outside, prioritize getting this done earlier in the morning if possible, before the temperature reaches its peak.

• Keep an eye out for signs of danger.

  • Heat rash can appear as a red cluster of pimples or blisters. You may notice heat rash on your neck, upper chest, or anywhere that sweat is produced.

  • Heat cramps can be a symptom of heat exhaustion, and present as pain felt in the muscles, often with spasms.

  • Heat exhaustion can present as "heavy and excessive sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting. Despite the heat, the skin may feel cool and moist. Breathing will be fast and shallow, while the pulse will likely be fast and weak. It does not take all of these symptoms to indicate heat exhaustion; some people may only show a few of them." -OSHA Education Center

  • All of the treatments for the above dangers include stopping activity and resting in a cool place. It's good to get plenty of fluids including water, juice, or sports beverages.

  • "Heat stroke is the most serious of the heat-related illnesses. The body's temperature regulations system breaks down entirely, and the body is unable to cool itself. Body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher in as little as 10-15 minutes. At that point, vital organs, including the brain, can become damaged. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability without emergency treatment. There are several warning signs of heat stroke, and not all of them need to be present: an extremely high body temperature (103°F or higher); skin that is red, hot, and dry, without sweating; a strong, fast pulse; a throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea, possibly with vomiting; confusion; and possibly unconsciousness.

    The treatment is to quickly get the sufferer to a cool place, even if it's just a shady area, and call for emergency medical help. Do whatever you can to cool the person down quickly, such as dousing them in water. Maintain efforts to cool them until help arrives or their temperature drops down to 101°F or lower. If medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital for further instructions." -OSHA Education Center

Our sources for this post were the OSHA Education Center and IEC National Safety Curriculum for lesson 135.