Heat related injuries and over exposure can result in serious injury or death. According to the "National Safety Council 2001 Edition of 'Injury Facts", 'Extreme Heat' was the number one weather-related killer and accounted for 55% of weather related deaths. This is three times higher than 1998's fatality estimates. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have guidelines and information relating to Extreme Heat' and address the importance of avoiding heat related injuries and illness.
There are several things that can assist you when preparing your employees to 'Beat the Heat'. Knowledge of key environmental measurements relating to heat is important. There are several key factors or measurements i.e. Air, Humidity, Radiant Heat and the Air Temperature. Air involves movement and temperature. In other words you can have air movement but if the air has reached a high temperature, the air movement will only cause 'hot air'. Humidity is the amount of moisture content in the air. Radiant Heat is the energy from a heat source such as the sun. Note that air temperature plus relative humidity equals the 'Heat Index' that we normally hear about. When evaluating 'extreme heat' referring to the 'Heat Index' will give the most accurate picture of actual exposures and hazards.
Why should you protect your employees against extreme heat? First and fore most, "Heat Related Illness or Injuries" can result in serious or life threatening conditions to your most valuable resource, your employee. A second reason to protect your employees is because once a person experiences a heat related injury or illness it will usually re-occur with additional exposure because the body becomes susceptible. The final reason is related to cost. Often times heat related injuries result in days of hospital stay, extensive medical treatment and time away from the job. Hospital care is the primary cost and certainly very expensive. HOWEVER there are often secondary costs, which include for example, overtime of other employees and associated expenditures.
Being proactive is the most successful way to 'Beat the Heat'. There are five steps in preparing your work force to work in the heat successfully. Planning, Budget, Education, Monitoring and Evaluation are the major steps you should follow to minimize employees exposure to the heat. Plan ahead by knowing when hot weather is expected in your area and the length of time it is expected to stay around. Plan for personnel shortages, hire early and allow your employees time to acclimate to the temperature changes. Plan for increases in other injuries as well. Heat tends to make employees work slow, and they often become less observant to other hazards in their environment. Budget for personnel, additional time on routes, and additional breaks. There are several supply items that will assist your crews such as healthy snacks, hats, sun visors, sunscreen, various size water coolers and electrolyte drinks.
A major proactive step in protecting your employees is Education. Train your employees on the various types of heat related injuries and illnesses including: Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke. Remind them that Sunburn can also be dangerous. Make sure that they understand how to recognize symptoms for both themselves and co-workers. Emphasize the importance of taking additional brakes. Establish emergency procedures to follow. Certify your employees through the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR so that they will be prepared to assist other crewmembers as needed. Educate your employees on the importance of consuming water as a primary fluid. It is important to start drinking fluids hours before heat exposure to allow the body to hydrate. Electrolytes are beneficial however some of them are high in sodium content and can cause medical problems for people with predisposition to hypertension and other illnesses. PowerAde contains ½ the sodium of Gator Aide and often makes a better electrolyte choice. Encourage employees to visit with their physicians to determine what is best for their health. Train your employees regarding foods and drinks that they should avoid that can increase dehydration. Sugar, Colas, soft drinks, juices with high sugar, caffeine, and alcohol should be avoided when long periods of heat exposure are anticipated. Remind employees that nutrition during hot weather is important. Lighter more frequent meals are easier to digest in the heat than heavier foods. Enlist the assistance of a Nutritionist, Certified Occupational Health Nurse or Medical Doctor for suggestions on foods that will be beneficial to your employees while working in the heat.
Monitor your employees for fatigue. Ensure that they have a cooler on board their vehicles for fluids. Encourage them to wear light / loose fitting clothing. Check on employees throughout the day. Special attention should be focused on monitoring operations where employees are working alone. Make 'Beating the Heat' a program that is evaluated annually. Track and trend your heat related injuries and illnesses. This information will assist you during budget preparation in planning for seasonal changes and how they impact your operations. Evaluate and compare your annual expenditures for maintaining your 'Beat the Heat' program versus the direct and indirect cost of heat related injuries in the past. This information will allow you to monitor the success of your program. Being proactive will assist with reducing or eliminating heat related injuries and illness that can lead to serious or life threatening injuries. 'Beating the Heat' should be a priority in safe guarding our most valuable resource, Solid Waste employees.
|
