June 7, 2021 Newsletter

Heat and Humidity Have Arrived

It was bound to happen—the combination of heat and humidity that makes mosquitoes so happy and humans so miserable. The weather forecast is for heat advisory for the rest of this week, with temps in the high 80s and low to mid 90s, and high humidity. While residents in southern states may be acclimated to those temperatures, we may not be yet. The first week or two of this weather is the most dangerous, as we need time to acclimate.

To protect your employees against heat:

• Encourage employees to drink lots of fluids frequently. Cool water is the best choice.
  • Provide electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade. But they should be in addition to water, not instead of water.
• Use evaporation to cool down
  • Provide cooling towels or damp bandanas. These are available from most safety vendors.
  • Use fans (grounded, only!) to keep air moving.
• Give more breaks. Encourage employees to take breaks in cool areas. It takes people about two weeks to acclimate to hot weather. In Minnesota, that means that just when people would start adjusting to the heat, it’s no longer hot. Although, this record breaking heat is going to last a while.
• Watch for the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses. Employees may not realize they’re suffering from the heat until it becomes a medical emergency.

HEAT STROKE Call 9-1-1.   While waiting for help, move victim to cool area and cool person down right away. Fan air on worker; cold packs in armpits. Wet worker with cool water; apply ice packs, cool compresses, or ice packs.	Very high body temperature Confusion Fainting Seizures Excessive sweating or, more often, red, hot, dry skin
HEAT EXHAUSTION Have worker sit or lie down in a cool area (with A/C). Provide plenty of water or other cool beverages (not caffeine). Use cold compresses/ice packs. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve within an hour, have someone take employee to clinic.	Cool, moist skin Heavy sweating Headache Nausea or vomiting Dizziness, light headedness Weakness Irritability Fast heart beat
HEAT CRAMPS Rest in a cool area (like office with A/C). Provide electrolyte replacements and water. Wait a few hours before allowing worker to return to strenuous work. Get medical attention if cramps don’t stop.	Muscle spasms, cramping,  usually in abdomen, arms, or legs.

Want to know if it’s too hot? Download the OSHA/NIOSH heat safety tool at https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html.  It uses your local weather conditions to tell you the heat index and recommend precautions.

For more information, or information you can provide to employees:

Infographic poster to print: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/infographic.html

Heat stress info site, including the link to OSHA-NIOSH heat safety tool: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/

OSHA fact sheet on protecting workers from the heat: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/heat_stress.pdf

MNOSHA Compliance: Heat Stress webpage: https://www.dli.mn.gov/business/workplace-safety-and-health/mnosha-compliance-heat-stress

OSHA’s heat stress campaign webpage: https://www.osha.gov/heat/index.html

And, for some humor, here is a rap video you could use:

Hydration reminder for kids (and adults) by an 11 year old: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSxOksXkm-Q

Along with heat advisory, there are red flag warning, meaning the risk of wildfire is high. If working outdoors, watch where you fuel and operate gas powered equipment.

If you have questions or need help with handling heat in your workplace, or for other safety and health concerns, let us know.