Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses and Injuries

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image of workers and PPE

Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses and Injuries

Some Key Signs of Heat Strain

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Infographic of the health impacts of heat

For workers looking to advocate for heat stress policy, programs, or legislation, learn the signs of heat stress and get in touch with your union or an organization focused on these issues like the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. These types of organizations can help you, or put you in touch with the right organization to form a safety and health committee—a group focused on improving working conditions through health and safety programs and operational changes—and help you develop and implement a strategic plan to hold your employer accountable for reducing the hazards of heat exposure and implementing the needed controls.

Here is a starting list of tasks and resources that can help workers and their representatives get started advocating for heat-related protections and controls. Work with your local union or consider joining one to gather more resources and build the power you need to better protect workers from heat stress.

Image Source: Sacrementoready.org

Familiarize Yourself with the NIOSH Recommendations for Reducing Heat Stress:

Engineering Controls

Install air conditioning or fans to cool off workers, or use reflective or heat-absorbing barriers, and install dehumidifiers to reduce humidity. Push for the use of engineering controls that follows the hierarchy of controls. Engineering controls like the use of A/C are prioritized over administrative controls and PPE due to the reliability and efficiency of engineering controls. *Note: Above certain temperatures, fans have the opposite effect because they blow hot air on people and make environmental conditions warmer.

Work Practice Controls

Limit time in the heat (e.g. plan work according to sun direction at different times of the day; start work early or late to avoid extreme temperatures), use tools intended to make the job less strenuous or difficult, use a heat alert program, and use a buddy system.

Training

Train supervisors to identify and warn workers of heat stress potential on hot days. Workers should be trained on first aid for heat stress, and how to use and care for heavy clothing and equipment that causes workers to be hotter than usual.

Acclimatization

Gradually increase workers’ time in hot conditions over a 2-week period, and closely supervise new employees during this period. Advocate for a heat stress acclimatization program so workers have adequate time to acclimate and get trained to identify and prevent heat-related injuries.

Hydration

Employers should provide cool (59°F), and safe-to-drink water for workers, and place it close to them. Workers should also be encouraged to stay hydrated and to consider drinking sports drinks if sweating lasts for several hours.

Rest Breaks

Workers should be encouraged and ensured appropriate rest breaks to cool down and hydrate. Employers should shorten work periods and increase the number and length of rest periods in cool-down areas, especially during heavy work shifts and in extreme conditions. 

The Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Work Group of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) produced and presented a set of recommendations and best practices for a heat exposure control plan, also known as a Heat Illness Prevention Plan, to federal OSHA. Many of the NACOSH recommendations align with the protective requirements of the state rules listed below and throughout the Heat section on ChemHAT, but the primary purpose of these recommendations is to identify what triggers an action in a workplace, detail who is in charge of certain response tasks, and how to address it while satisfying federal and state Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) rules.

  • The NACOSH group provided recommendations on how workers and supervisors should be trained, as well as recommendations on how environmental monitoring should take place, additional workplace controls like required water breaks and clear guidance on what is considered a safe place to rest, and more., including:  
    • The Heat Illness Prevention plan should be regularly re-evaluated and updated at least annually, and after adverse events such as the onset and reporting of symptoms, or the seeking of medical attention.
    • To protect workers who are working alone, supervisors should check in regularly with their supervisees and know their specific location in case of emergencies. This can be planned and communicated during a morning safety meeting or check-in along with any other important notes regarding health and safety protections.
    • Example: Delivery drivers also have check-ins with supervisors when workers have to self-monitor due to heat hazards
  • The plan should include planning for foreseeable events growing in frequency and other emergencies. One example is wildfire smoke, which may require more workers to rely on PPE which increases the risk of heat-related hazards.
  • To ensure workers’ heat burden is being monitored accurately, both temperatures and heat indexes should be monitored, not one or the other, during shifts.
  • Monitoring response plans, or the detailed action steps for responding to a high heat index or burden, should be written for each specific worksite and communicated to workers.
  • Workers must be authorized and supported to participate in monitoring, learn the measurement approaches being used in their workplaces, can self-monitor, and be able to respond appropriately
  • Adjust for heat waves by observing weather data and ensure workers have enough time to acclimate to the new heat burden