Safety Tips for Working in Extreme Heat
Working in hot weather during the summer can create additional risks for employees. Normal activities that our bodies usually handle can become detrimental to our health in extreme hot weather conditions. The summer heat affects the human body in multiple ways, ranging from lack of focus and strength to impaired vision. Having an up-to-date safety program can help prevent risk on any jobsite, even during summer heat.
It is important to take the right precautions when working in hot weather conditions to stay safe and efficient, including:
Staying Hydrated
Start hydrating before exposing yourself to extreme heat. Make sure you drink water periodically throughout the day to avoid dehydration. On average, 48 ounces of water should be consumed per 8-hour workday.
Wearing Proper Clothing
During the summer months, try to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing to work. If even your job requires a safety vest, be mindful of the clothes we are wearing underneath. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and when appropriate, sunglasses and a hat for additional sun protection. If you are wearing a hard hat, take breaks periodically and remove that hard hat to cool down.
Scheduling
Schedule heavier and more strenuous activities early in the morning or late in the evening. Use shaded areas to work and take advantage of the suns positioning.
Adaptation
Slowly ease into hot weather conditions. Train your body to withstand heat stress, which will allow for proper acclimatization.
At the end of the day, your health and your employee’s health are the main priority. Dealing with excessive heat in the work environment is a risk, but knowing what to do to keep everyone safe is important. Reach out to TSIB to gather the right safety program and learn more from one of our Risk Consultants.
TSIB’s Risk Consultants are currently servicing the following locations:
East Coast: New York City, NY; Bergen County, NJ; Fairfield County, CT; Philadelphia, PA
Texas: Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas
California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County
image credit: shutterstock.com/g/Nong2
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