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NIOSH offers free resources for employers and workers

Every year, thousands of workers suffer from symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and some will die from heat stroke. To help workers stay safe while on the job outdoors this summer, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers several resources for employers and workers to help tackle working in extreme heat and hot environments.

Working outside can produce heat stress, resulting in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.

Who is at risk?

Workers exposed to hot and humid conditions, including construction workers, landscapers, farmers, and others who spend time outdoors are at risk for a heat-related illness. Additionally, workers who are new to the job or not fully acclimatized, 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take certain medications are at greater risk for a heat-related illness.

“Reducing heat stress and preventing heat-related illnesses is paramount for both employers and workers, particularly when summer temperatures peak and exposure to hot environments are part of the every-day job,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “NIOSH offers several recommendations and tools that employers can incorporate into trainings, and workers can use in real-time, in order to help prevent illness, injury or death.”

How to stay safe when working in heat

Some examples of NIOSH recommendations that can be applied in many different outdoor workplaces include:

• Limit time in the heat and/or increase recovery time in a cool environment.
• Increase the number of workers per task.
• Train supervisors and workers about heat stress, including symptoms of heat-related illness, first aid, and risk factors.
• Use a buddy system where workers observe each other for signs of heat intolerance.
• Provide adequate amounts of cool, potable water near the work area and encourage workers to drink frequently.
• Use a heat alert program (additional written guidelines) whenever the weather service forecasts that a heat wave is likely to occur.
• Develop a plan to get employees acclimatized to hot work conditions and to increase physical fitness.