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.
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HEAT EXHAUSTION
If symptoms worsen or don’t improve within an hour, have someone take employee to clinic. |
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HEAT CRAMPS
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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.