Extreme heat is a serious hazard for outdoor workers, and employers need to take precautions to reduce the dangers it poses. The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies heat stress as a high hazard in workplaces, and completes heat-related inspections around the state.
Training and acclimatization
South Carolina can experience extreme weather changes, including temperature swings of 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more in a single day. In some cases, employees may not be used to 90-degree weather and may not be physically acclimated to the heat, placing them at high risk of heat-related illnesses during periods of high heat.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has heat-related guidance for how long it takes an employee to become acclimatized to high heat. At least five days of 1 to 2 hours of heat exposure a day are needed for heat acclimatization. Supervisors should remember that all employees will not have the same physical response to the same conditions.
Training for employees should ensure that all staff members can recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses for themselves and others, as well as what to do to reduce these hazards.
Signs of heat-related illness
Employees working in hot outdoor conditions and who experience the onset of a headache, dizziness or fainting should immediately seek shade and an air-conditioned space. They should also remove their outer clothing while fanning and misting with water. If available, those helping employees should place ice bags on the employee along with drinking water, and call a supervisor. If needed, they should call 911.
The most serious heat illness is heatstroke, where the body’s temperature has reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Anyone observing a worker appearing to be not alert or confused should call 911 immediately, as these symptoms may be signs of heatstroke.
The most noticeable difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke is that the body stops sweating during heatstroke. Employees who stop sweating should seek immediate medical attention. Untreated heatstroke can cause permanent brain damage.
Workers can reduce sun exposure and heat stress by wearing long-sleeve, moisture-wicking shirts. However, these shirts are not rated as flame resistant or a fire retardant, so they are unsuitable for welders, firefighters or electricians.
Protect workers by planning ahead
Whether workers are digging a trench on the side of the roadway or working in a wastewater treatment plant aeration basin, they must be aware of heat-related hazards. OSHA recommends that employees alternate work with rest and shade.
Ideally, supervisors should provide a temporary shade tent covering the work area, and should provide water for hydration and an air-conditioned cab of a work truck, if available.
Supervisors should also stress the importance of drinking fluids before work and during work in hot conditions, with drinking at least one cup of water every 10 to 15 minutes helping workers avoid dehydration.
Weather-focused mobile apps can help workers know when the heat index will be elevated and in the extreme-risk category. Workers should plan to complete the work during cooler times of the day, if job duties allow for this.
For questions on employee heat exposure, contact the Municipal Association’s Risk Management Services Loss Control department at losscontrol@masc.sc.