Summer is here - Heat related stress hazards

Many workers in manufacturing environments are exposed to heat related hazards, especially during hot summer months. The necessity for training and awareness is covered under the General Duty cause in Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act ("General Duty Clause") which requires an employer to furnish to its employees:

"...employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees..."

This means that an employer could be cited if:
a) The employer failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees were exposed;
b) The hazard was recognized;
c) The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm; and
d) There was a feasible and useful method to correct or control the hazard.

The rising temperature in a manufacturing facility during Summer months is a recognizable hazard that can cause death if control measures aren't established. While you may not be able to control the Summer heat, you can control many aspects of how you deal with this hazard.

1) If you haven't already, and if feasible, install fans. Fans increase air circulation, which promotes body cooling through the evaporation of sweat.

2) Give more frequent breaks away from the heat and heavy work. An air conditioned rest area is not necessary. In fact moving to a too cold area can cause heat shock. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (research arm of OSHA) has determined that 76F is ideal for rest breaks.

3) Provide unlimited water to drink for hydration purposes. While water is the best hydration liquid, offering thirst quencher style drinks such as Squincher may encourage more frequent drinking with the added benefit of replacing electrolytes such as sodium. Discourage caffeinated products as they are diuretics which cause the employee to urinate more often, becoming yet more dehydrated.

4) Train your employees and supervisors to be aware of the symptoms of heat related illnesses. (Cards can be printed here: http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf). Train supervisors to be diligent in monitoring employees for hydration levels and early heat stress symptoms. Additionally train supervisors in the proper treatment of heat related illnesses.

5) Also train supervisors in the necessity of acclimating new hires to the work environment. A person will generally take 5 to 7 days to acclimatize to a hot environment. Have supervisors vary new workers between heavier and lighter work loads. Give more frequent rest breaks, and remind new employees to drink more often. Encourage the worker to drink 5 to 7 ounces of fluids every 15 to 20 minutes just to keep up with fluids lost from sweat.

6) Individual employee factors should additionally be taken into consideration when monitoring for heat related stress. Age, weight, physical condition, recreational activities, and medications are all factors that could contribute to heat the onset of heat related illnesses. Remind workers to ask their doctor or pharmacist if any medication they are taking can contribute to heat stress.

Now is the time to train both general employees and supervisors of the hazards for heat related hazards. A few environmental preparations, training, and monitoring are all proactive approaches that directly lower incidences of heat related illnesses and keep production rates at optimal levels.
Here are some links to more information including some industrial hygiene approaches to determine permissible heat exposure limits.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hotenvt.html#safety
http://www.csao.org/t.tools/t6.news/heat_stress_faq.cfm#measures
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_4.html#iii:4_2