Protect your team from heat illness
All you need to know; from insights on the OSHA rule to resources to help you achieve the highest level of protection.
As global temperatures rise, more workers are exposed to extreme heat.
Unlike hurricanes and tornadoes, heat is an invisible hazard. Even though all heat-related illness is preventable, heat kills more people each year than all other natural disasters combined. Oregon OSHA has adopted a permanent rule to address this growing threat. The new rules apply to conditions where the heat index exceeds 80°F whether indoors or outdoors.
This guide offers all you need to know; from insights of the new rule to resources to help you achieve the highest level of protection.
How does heat impact health?
Heat illness typically refers to two different conditions: heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat
exhaustion often precedes heat stroke, which manifests after prolonged exposure. Heat stress
may also cause long-term health effects, including muscle tissue breakdown and increased risk
of kidney disease.
Who's at risk?
Exposure depends on many factors, including intensity of work, access to cooler areas, and environmental conditions, including humidity, wind, and cloud coverage. People who work outdoors, are over age 65, have respiratory conditions or circulatory disease, are overweight, or are pregnant have a higher risk of health impacts.
What can employers do?
Before heat season:
- Provide annual heat training for all employees. Include information about risk factors, symptoms of heat illness, health effects, hydration, acclimatization, twoway communication, and other relevant procedures.
- Include heat events in your emergency response and business continuity plans. Designate a team for handling business and personnel impacts.
- Prepare production schedules and work assignments with heat in mind, especially if you are in a high-impact area.
Plan for work (Pre-work planning):
- Identify the risk of heat exposure for each type of employee and task, including those who travel or provide transportation.
- Describe levels of increasing hazard and response for each work situation.
- Prepare necessary supplies for different responses, such as personal protective equipment (like cooling vests or scarves and shade), water, cell phones, and radio communication.
- Include treatment descriptions for the different heat illnesses and necessary supplies.
- Identify resources for monitoring the heat index in your area. One resource is the National Weather Service’s apparent temperature forecast.
Applying the heat index
After a heat event
Discuss lessons learned; make any necessary changes to your plan and processes.
Where to get more information
For more on this topic, visit saif.com/heat.