How to Manage Employee Heat Stress in the Workplace

Marketing SWS · June 15, 2023 · Inspiration

When it comes to working in a hot environment, there’s no such thing as too much preparation. Excessive heat and sun exposure can pose a significant risk to employees, especially those working outside in the direct sun, like roofers and road workers.

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA), heat stress in the workplace causes thousands of illnesses and dozens of fatalities each year. Fortunately, there are ways for employers and employees alike to help prevent these injuries from happening.

Today, we’ll explore the risk of heat stress and the several measures that you can take as an employer to keep your crew safe.

What is Heat Stress?

Heat stress is a health hazard that occurs when a person is exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can occur indoors (mills, foundries, interior renovation, etc.) or outdoors (roofing, home-building, road work, etc.), and protective clothing can further exacerbate the problem. When workers perform strenuous work in a sweltering environment, they build up body heat, causing their core temperature to rise.

To eliminate this excess body heat and reduce internal temperatures, our body uses two cooling mechanisms:

When too much sweat is lost through heavy labor or working under hot, humid conditions, the body lacks enough water to cool itself down, causing dehydration. Not long after, our core temperatures rise above 38°C and a series of heat-related illnesses, or heat stress disorders begin to develop.

Common Heat Stress Disorders Prevalent in the Workplace

Each year in North America an estimated 220 workers die from occupational heat stress. What’s more, scientists predict the worst is yet to come. A study released by Toronto Public Health and Environment Canada anticipates heat-related deaths to double by 2050 and triple by 2080 as a result of global warming.

Heat stress disorders can range from minor discomfort to life-threatening ailments, and include the following:

Heat Rash

Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is the most common heat stress disorder in work environments. Appearing as red blotches on the skin, heat rash results in extreme itchiness and/or a prickling sensation in areas damp with sweat. Common treatments for heat rash include staying in a cool environment, taking a cool shower, and keeping dry. In most cases, the rash should disappear on its own within a few days once the individual is no longer subjected to heat.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are sharp muscle spasms that often occur in workers who sweat profusely in the heat, drink plenty of water, but do not adequately replenish the body’s loss of salt.

Heat cramps most frequently occur in large muscles like the back, legs and arms. Workers may begin to notice cramping while still on site or later on after they’ve clocked out for the day.

To treat heat cramps, it’s best to gently stretch and massage the affected muscles and replenish the body’s loss of salt by drinking beverages with electrolytes. If heat cramps are severe, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a mild form of heat illness that occurs when the body overheats and loses large amounts of water and salt usually through excessive sweating from continuous work in high temperatures.

Signs of heat exhaustion may include:

An individual showing signs of heat exhaustion at work needs to be cooled down and given fluids immediately. Here’s what to do if you suspect an employee is experiencing heat exhaustion:

Employees suffering from heat exhaustion should begin to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

Heat Stroke

The most serious heat stress disorder, heat stroke occurs when a person’s own body can no longer cool itself down. Sweating fails to keep the body temperature within a normal range and as a result, the body’s core temperature rises to critical levels.

Unlike the above disorders, heat stroke requires immediate medical attention. If not treated instantly, it can result in permanent damage to vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys.

The primary signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:

If you suspect an employee is suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately and stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive. While waiting, complete the following steps:

Heat Stress Prevention in the Workplace

You can’t control the weather. But you can control your company’s approach to working in the heat. Managing heat stress in the workplace allows you to prevent and treat symptoms while they are still mild. Early prevention includes adopting a culmination of engineering, training, and work practice controls as well as establishing a heat stress policy.

Engineering Controls

When it comes to engineering controls it’s all about prevention. When there’s no other option but to work during the hottest parts of the day, ensure workers are taking regular breaks and staying hydrated under the covers of shelters like canopies, umbrellas, and other temporary structures. These shelters should include ample shade, plenty of water, and a place for workers to recharge. If your work environment is indoors and you’re able to reduce the temperature and humidity with AC, even better!

Educate and Train

When it comes to your crews’ health and safety, education and training are vital.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states heat stress training should cover the following:

Appropriate Work Procedures

Teamwork makes the dream work. The risks of working in hot environments can be significantly reduced if management and labors work together to manage heat stress.

Here are some of the ways these parties can come together to ensure optimal health and safety on all fronts:

Management

Workers

Create a Heat Stress Policy

One of the most important steps in heat stress prevention in the workplace is developing a heat stress control policy. This policy should be based on the type of work environment, and it should include guidelines for identifying and responding to heat-related incidents.

In order to develop a heat stress control policy, it’s essential to first determine what type of work environment you are working in. This will make it easier to determine whether or not you need a formal policy in place and what type of procedures should be included in that policy. Two common types of heat common in work environments that require heat stress control policies are process heat and hot weather.

Process Heat

Process heat is generated by equipment that creates excess heat, such as boilers, ovens and furnaces. For these workplaces, the Ontario government recommends employers:

Hot weather

Hot weather can also pose a serious risk for workers. If the sun is the reason for the unbearable heat at your place of work, a simplified heat stress control policy beginning May 1, and running until September 30, maybe more suitable.

Consider using the plan when:

Your Responsibilities as an Employer

The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) does not specifically cover worker exposure to heat. However, the act does require businesses to protect workers exposed to hot environments.

Employers should develop a written health and safety policy outlining how workers in hot environments will be protected from heat stress. At the minimum, the following should be addressed:

SWS Warning Lights– an integral part of safety requirements

Heat stress is just one part of your health and safety plan. Let us help you with the rest.

As North America’s leader in high-quality warning lights, we can take care of all your warning light needs and make sure that you have the right equipment for keeping your employees safe, no matter the application. Contact us today to learn more.