Weather-related events have been in the news all year. Now, like a stalled weather pattern, the heat is hogging up Page One news. What could become one of the nation's worst droughts has spread across 14 states, from Florida to Arizona. In Texas alone, losses are expected to exceed $3 billion. The drought will be the eighth billion-dollar weather event in 2011.
In addition to financial losses, there will significant loss of life. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), heat is the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. On average, more than 1,500 lives are lost each year.
Given these risks, U.S. businesses must publish and enforce a heat stress policy, beginning with safety director responsibilities.
Safety director responsibilities
The safety director is required to prepare and maintain a hazards management plan (HMP), which includes a job safety analysis (JSA) for employees who must work outdoors or in environments with extreme heat stress. The JSA should provide detailed information on:
- Recognition of heat stress and risk factors
- Preventive measures that will be used during periods of exposure to excessive heat, the choice of which will depend on the work being done, the work environment, and the people doing the work
- Fluid replacement
- How an employee can determine if he/she is experiencing the signs and symptoms of heat stress (i.e., self monitoring).
Supervisors are required to provide initial heat stress training for each employee who must work outdoors or in environments with extreme heat. Documentation of this initial training shall be submitted to the safety director.
Supervisors are required to review their work unit's HMP job safety analysis with their staff annually or whenever relevant work procedures change. During the warm season, supervisors should closely monitor their staff to ensure the work units' heat stress JSA is being followed, and evaluate if any additional measures are needed.
Cool water should be immediately available to any employee who is required to work outdoors or within indoor environments with excessively hot temperatures.
Heat stress training for employees should include:
- A review of heat-related disorders and their risk factors
- Recognition of the signs and symptoms of heat-related disorders, and the importance of monitoring for them
- Preventive measures that will be used
- Fluid replacement options and expectations
Issue Heat Alerts
When conditions are present that contribute to heat stress, departments and work units are to alert at risk employees and implement their preventive measures for working in heat. The alert should include a reminder of signs and symptoms, how to control exposure, and a reâ€'emphasis of the preventive work strategies to be followed.
Employees' responsibility
Employees who work outdoors or within indoor environments with elevated temperatures should:
- Participate in their work unit's heat stress training; learn the signs and symptoms of heat stress, as well as risk factors
- Take extra care if you they at high risk (older, overweight, or have a chronic medical condition including diabetes, heart or lung disease, thyroid disease or high blood pressure); employees on medication should check with their doctors to see if the medication puts them at an increased risk
- Follow the preventive measures listed in the JSA
- Take time to acclimate to heat and humidity by limiting physical activity until accustomed to it
- Stay hydrated by frequently drinking small amounts of cool water frequently
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
- Pace yourself by starting slowly and gradually pickiung up the pace
- Monitor themselves and their co-workers for the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness
- Promptly report to their supervisor any known or suspected unsafe conditions or unsafe procedures.
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