School is out and summertime is here, and with the long days of summer come increasingly high temperatures. Across the country, climbing temperatures are expected in the coming months, and it is critical that safety precautions are in place to protect your workers.
Based on the latest reports from The Weather Channel, warmer-than-average conditions are expected across much of the northern half of the country this summer. Temperatures will be the farthest above average for parts of Montana and North Dakota, while warmer-than-average conditions will extend from parts of the Northwest southward into Oklahoma and eastward into the Great Lakes and northern New England.
According to OSHA, every year dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat, and 78 percent of heat-related deaths occur between the months of June and August. It has been reported that approximately 40 percent of heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry, with a variety of conditions and heat illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.
With high heat hazards ahead, here are a few tips and resources to help you take the appropriate steps to prepare your crews:
Provide Training
It is the responsibility of the employer to train all team members and workers on heat hazards, signs of heat exhaustion and illness, as well as CPR & First Aid. A good place to start is to check out OSHA’s resource for recognizing heat-related illness. You may also choose to run a team training series and hire a professional like Brauner Safety Services to design and implement a safety program to keep everyone up-to-date and heat-ready.
Water, Rest and Shade
While it may appear obvious, water, rest and shade are three concepts that should be integrated into your daily routine and safety practices. As an employer, it is crucial that you provide your crews with plenty of water, appropriate breaks and rest, as well as shaded areas on the job site. Also, it is helpful to keep in mind the 20% Rule – The rule states than no more than 20 percent of the duration of a new worker’s shift should be at full intensity in the heat. As they become more accustomed to the heat, the duration of time at full intensity should be increased by no more than 20 percent per day until fully acclimated.
In order to educate employers and the public, OSHA runs a campaign (Water.Rest.Shade) with the intention of keeping more workers safe under high heat conditions. You can learn more about OSHA’s campaign to prevent heat illness by visiting the heat exposure section of their website, as well as find a library of helpful (and printable) resources in English and Spanish.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is the key to success in safety. When it comes to heat, it is important to have a plan for new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they adjust and build tolerance for working in high heat conditions. Additionally, you will need to prepare the job site with appropriate hydration stations and engineering controls (fans, AC, reflectors, ventilation) that can reduce workers’ exposure to heat.
Along with keeping the environment and conditions as cool as possible, employers should have a clear emergency plan in place, as well as ensure that drinking water is always replenished and close to the work area. As with any safety plan, first aid practices should be clearly understood by your team, and all personal protective equipment (coolmax clothing, wide brim hats, sunblock, etc.) should be readily available and provided by the employer.
No matter how high the temperatures get this summer, your crews can stay safe and hydrated on the job with proper preparation and training. To learn more about how Brauner Safety Services can prepare your crews with proper safety training, including CPR and First Aid and the latest CERTA, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30, contact Brauner Safety Services.