How Workers Can Protect Themselves from Heat

How Workers Can Protect Themselves from Heat

Employers are responsible for keeping workers safe from heat, but there are steps workers can follow too.

As weathers become more extreme this summer, protecting yourself from extreme heat is important.

Although employers hold a responsibility to keep workers safe from heat, there are steps workers can follow to keep themselves safe.

According to OSHA, start work slowly. Workers who don’t have a tolerance to heat should “follow the 20 percent rule” to acclimate. When working in heat, don’t work more than 20 percent of your shift in “full intensity in the heat,” OSHA says. Each day, workers should increase the time by an additional 20 percent, but no more.

Drinking water throughout the shift is also important. Regardless of thirst, you should drink a minimum of one cup of cool water every 20 minutes, OSHA says.

Rest breaks should be taken to recover, and shaded or cool places used for breaks.

You can also keep yourself safe from the heat by wearing certain clothing, like “a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing,” according to OSHA.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of heat illness can help you know what to do. Workers in both indoor and outdoor heat can be at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. According to the CDC, look out for signs like heavy sweating, nausea, muscle cramps or a headache for heat exhaustion. (For a full list of symptoms, click here.) Heat stroke signs include a “high body temperature,” “hot, red, dry, or damp skin,” a “fast, strong pulse” and “confusion.” (For more symptoms, click here.)

If you or a coworker are experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun and find a cool area to rest. Drinking water is important. If you can, remove or loosen clothing and cool down with wet cloths or a bath, the CDC says. If you or a coworker have signs of heat stroke, call 911 and find a cool place to rest. You should attempt to cool the person with cloths or a bath.

About the Author

Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.

Product Showcase

  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • HAZ LO HEADLAMPS

    With alkaline or rechargeable options, these safety rated, Class 1, Div. 1 Headlamps provide long runtime with both spot and flood options in the same light. Work safely and avoid trip hazards with flexible hands-free lighting from Streamlight. Read More

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars