Prepare for the heat: 10 steps to prevent heat stress

It's just a matter of time before the cold, rainy spring turns into a blistering hot summer.

These heat waves may last only a week or two, but in this time workers can suffer debilitating effects and even death. A few simple steps taken now can keep your people thriving and productive even in the hottest weather.

"Based on the internal responsibility system, everyone has a role to play," says WSPS occupational hygienist Warren Clements. "Employers, supervisors and workers all can make a difference in their workplaces."

Steps to prevent heat stress at work for employers

1. Put a policy and procedures in place, based on a risk assessment. Ask questions, such as have workers been affected by heat in the past? Is work done in direct sunlight? Are there heat producing processes or equipment in the workplace? This will help you get an idea of the magnitude of the issue. If heat stress may be a hazard, consider conducting heat stress measurements and developing a control plan. Include engineering controls, such as insulating hot surfaces.

2. Train all employees during orientation on the policy and procedures. Include heat stress symptoms, how to prevent it, and what to do if someone starts showing symptoms. Heat stress training is particularly critical for young and new workers, as well as all manual workers. Research conducted by the Institute for Work & Health shows that heat strokes, sunstrokes and other heat illnesses disproportionately affect those on the job less than two months.

Steps to prevent heat stress at work for supervisors

3. Acclimatize workers to hot conditions, and watch out for de-acclimatization. Workers can lose their tolerance in only four days.

4. Schedule work in the hottest locations for cooler times of day. Build cool-down breaks into work schedules. Adjust the frequency and duration of breaks as needed. "Taking a break means going to a cooler work area or providing workers with periodic rest breaks and rest facilities in cooler conditions," says Warren.

5. Get to know your workplace and your workers. "Are there certain jobs at elevated risk? Is anybody working outside today? Keep your eyes and ears open: 'Is so-and-so looking a little different from how he normally looks? A little more flushed? Sitting down more?'"

6. Ensure ready access to cool water in convenient, visible locations. Workers need to replenish their fluids if they are becoming dehydrated.

7. Supply protective equipment and clothing as needed, such as water-dampened cotton whole-body suits, cooling vests with pockets that hold cold packs, and water-cooled suits.

8. Monitor weather forecasts. "If it's Tuesday and you know superhot weather is coming on Thursday, ask yourself, 'Who will be working then? What will they be doing? Who should I watch out for?'"

9. Be extra vigilant in extreme conditions. "Check on workers frequently. If you can't do this, then assign a temporary pair of eyes to do it for you."

Steps to prevent heat stress at work for workers

10. Watch out for each other and speak up. "People suffering from heat stress don’t always recognize their own symptoms. If anyone's behaviour is 'more than usual' - more sweating, more flushed, hyperventilating - it could be a sign of heat stress." Other signs could include rashes, muscle cramping, dizziness, fainting, and headaches.

How WSPS can help

Check out our heat stress resources for these and other tools:

• Safety in 60 Seconds: short safety tips on Weather and Temperature-Related Hazards
• heat stress posters,
• heat stress awareness sessions conducted on site by WSPS safety experts,
• articles on heat stress.