As we jump straight into summer and 100 degree days, we need to focus and worry about the safety of our employees regarding heart safety and overexertion. By adding a few extra steps into our days at work, we can prevent many heat-induced illnesses, including heatstroke.
Every year, we see percentages grow, with dozens of workers dying from heat-related issues, and hundreds become ill from the immense summer heat and humid conditions we face.
The main steps we can take to prevent these illnesses from occurring are very simple: water, breaks (rest), and shade. Three things that employers can begin to require for their workers who are working in this heat. Employees might be wary of this cutting into their paid work time, but encourage them that it will not affect anything negatively and that they need to take care of their health.
Ways employers can manage this:
- Provide workers with ample time for breaks where they can obtain water provided for them, in a cool environment where they can sit and take a rest so they don’t become overheated or overexerted.
- Allow workers who are new or coming back from vacation time to acclimate to the heat, allow them differently scheduled breaks closer together so they can have time for their body’s to become acclimated to the heat index.
- Train your workers in case of emergencies, they need to know what the signs of a heat stroke are and other heat-related illnesses, and what to do with and for the worker who is experiencing these symptoms.
- And lastly, have someone onsite who is medically trained, keeping a watch over all employees to make sure they are taking their required breaks, and making sure no one is feeling ill.
Protecting employees during the summer months of excessive heat is very important and can be the difference between your company and others.
More information also found on our website here.
