Thursday, July 23, 2015

OSHA offers cooling remedies for outdoor workers: Give them plenty of water, rest and shade.


By Michael Bradwell
Business Editor
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
PennDOT workers resurface sections of East Beau Street in Washington Tuesday.

As temperatures climbed into the mid-80s Tuesday afternoon, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had some timely advice for employers in the region who have people working outdoors: Give them plenty of water, rest and shade.

Taking precautions against heat-related illness during high temperatures and humidity is more than a prudent measure, according to Christopher Robinson, director of OSHA’s Pittsburgh area office.

Robinson gave the reminder during an informational teleconference with reporters, and had some sobering statistics to back it up.

According to OSHA, more than 200 workers in the United States died from heat stress between 2009 and 2013.

The workers at the highest risk for heat-related illness are those in construction, agriculture, building and ground maintenance, trades, utilities, transportation and the oil and gas industry.

“We’ve had (numerous reports) of heat-related illness with landscapers and lawn care workers,” added Robinson, who said employers need to take special care to gradually acclimatize those who are new to working outdoors in summer weather.

OSHA’s heat stress campaign, which it has promoted to employers since 2011, notes the body normally cools itself by sweating, but during hot weather coupled with high humidity, sweating isn’t enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions aren’t taken, such as drinking water frequently and resting in shade.

Heat illnesses range from heat rash and cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which requires immediate medical attention and can result in death.

To prevent heat-related illness and fatalities:

• Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty.

• Rest in the shade to cool down.

• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.

• Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an emergency.

• Keep an eye on fellow workers.

• “Easy does it” on your first days of work in the heat.

Robinson said OSHA offers a heat safety tool as a smartphone application.

Users enter the current temperature and humidity and the app calculates the heat illness risk and provides the appropriate protections to be taken.