Hot Weather and Your Workers: Protect Employees when the Temperatures Soar

Image source: Irargerich

If you’ve heard a few minutes of the evening news during the past seven days, you’ve most likely seen stories about western states in the United States that are facing deadly hot temperatures. Whether your delivery company is located in this area of the U.S. or not, hot weather is bound to come to your region eventually, and when it does, you need to make certain your employees are prepared for the extreme heat. People who are unprepared to work in hot conditions can fall ill quickly, or even die.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics’ “Heat Stress” page, heat stress can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. In addition to heat exhaustion, workers also are at a greater risk for injury when temperatures rise. More injuries occur because of sweaty palms, people touching and getting burned by hot surfaces, and dizziness.

Workers who are at greater risk for falling ill because of extreme heat are people who are 65 years of age or older, overweight, have heart disease, or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat. Also according to the United States Department of Labor, new workers who are not used to working outdoors are, generally, more prone to experiencing heat-related illnesses. For a full list of symptoms and first aid advice for heat related illnesses, visit this link.

To effectively prepare your outdoor delivery employees for extreme heat, make certain you provide workers with the following protection tips:

• “Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
• Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
• Gradually build up to heavy work.
• Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
• Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.
• Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.
• Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty. Approximately 1 cup every 15-20 minutes.
• Avoid alcohol, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar.
• Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.”

- Source: CDC