Are Your Workers Safe In The Summer Heat?

August 8, 2016

Picture of Cecilia De La Rosa

Cecilia De La Rosa

OSHA has partnered up with the National Weather Service. What does this mean for contractors? It means that there are new and improved safety regulations to protect your workers from heat-related accidents. One of your main goals is to maintain an accident-free work environment, and so often the summer weather flies under the safety radar. According to the latest OSHA report: “Most of the people who die from heatstroke at work were in their first few days on the job, or were working during a heat wave. It takes time for the body to adapt to working in a new temperature and conditions, even if he or she has done similar work in the past. Just one week away from working in the heat can put workers at a higher risk upon the return of hotter and/or more humid weather.”In order to do everything you can to help make your contracting business a success, here’s what you need to know about heat-related concerns while your workers are on the job.

Heat Stoke is not a laughing matter. Between 1979 and 2013, the death rate as a direct result of exposure to heat (underlying cause of death) generally hovered around 0.5 deaths per million population, with spikes in certain years. Since 1979 Alone, more than 9000 Americans have suffered heat-related deaths! Is it really worth exposing your workers to injury or even death?
Stay Cool, Stay Hyrdated.

Look For Signs of….

Dizziness

Headache

Reddened Skin

Nausea

Extreme fatigue

If you see these symptoms in your workers, you should immediately seek out three things: water, rest, and shade. It’s simple, and it can be the difference between life and death. If conditions do not improve after a half-hour to an hour, get your guy to the nearest medical facility ASAP.