As Heat Waves Intensify, Protect Your Outdoor Workers

As our summers get hotter and more regions battle sweltering heat waves, it’s imperative that employers take steps to protect their outdoor workers.

People who are not acclimated to high heat conditions can easily suffer heat illness, which can be deadly.

Between 2011 and 2021, there were 436 work-related deaths caused by environmental heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2022, there were 43 work-related fatalities, up from 36 in 2021, but down from 56 in 2020.

These statistics, the most recently available, do not account for the thousands of workers who suffer from heat illness that does not result in death.

Heat illness is preventable

The best defense against heat-related illnesses is prevention. Cal/OSHA requires all employers with outdoor worksites to take four basic steps to prevent heat illness:

1. Provide heat illness prevention training to all employees, including supervisors.
   2. Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour and encourage them to do so.
   3. Provide access to shade for at least 5 minutes of rest when an employee believes he needs a preventative recovery period. They should not wait until they feel sick to do so.
   4. Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the heat illness prevention standard.

Training

Employers are required to provide heat illness prevention training to outdoor workers. This training must include the following information:

• Environmental/personal risk factors.
• Prevention plan and procedures.
• Workers need to drink water frequently throughout the day.
• Importance of acclimatization (allowing the body to adjust gradually to the work in high heat).
• Types of heat illness and the signs and symptoms.
• Necessity of immediately reporting to an employer any signs or symptoms.
• Employer’s procedures for responding to symptoms.
• Employer’s procedures for contacting emergency medical services including providing directions to the worksite.

Acclimatization

Nearly three out of every four fatalities from heat illness occur in the first week of work.

Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase duration of exposure and take more frequent breaks during the first week of work as they build a tolerance to working in the heat.

Designate a shaded break area with water

Designate a shady or cool area for breaks and provide cool drinking water. Natural shade like under trees is best, but portable tents and shelters can be used in areas without natural shade. Break areas and water should be located near work areas so that they can be reached quickly.

Ensure clean drinking water is available and accessible and encourage workers to drink 1 liter per hour (about one cup every 15 to 20 minutes).

Modify work schedules

You can modify schedules to address heat risks, like:

• Rescheduling non-essential outdoor or indoor work to days with a reduced heat index.
• Shifting physically demanding work to cooler times of the day.
• Rotating workers, adding extra workers, or splitting shifts to reduce exposure to heat and ease workloads.
• Stopping work if needed due to heat risk.

Monitor for heat illness symptoms

Establish a monitoring system for the signs and symptoms of heat illness. Also train workers to
monitor each other. A buddy system can help supervisors watch for signs of heat illness.

Emergency response procedures

Have an emergency plan in place for each worksite that includes:

• What to do when someone is showing signs of heat illness.
• How to contact emergency services.
• Appropriate first aid measures until medical help arrives.

The symptoms of heat illness may vary between individuals. Personal risk factors such as illness, certain medications or other health conditions change how a person is affected by heat. Common symptoms of heat illness include discomfort, excessive sweating, headache, poor concentration, muscle pain, cramping, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, loss of coordination, vomiting, blurry vision, confusion, lack of sweating, fainting, seizures.
The symptoms of heat illness will intensify with time if actions are not taken to hydrate, rest and cool down. If not treated promptly, minor symptoms of heat illness could quickly lead to a life-or-death situation.

The following are signs of a medical emergency:

• Abnormal thinking or behavior
• Slurred speech
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin.

If a worker is experiencing any of the above, you should:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Move them to a cooler area.
• Provide cool water to drink.
• Remove unnecessary clothing.
• Cool with water, ice or a fan.
• Not leave them alone.
• Provide medical care until emergency responders arrive.

The takeaway
Heat illness is no joke. It’s deadly and can quickly spiral out of control. If you have outdoor workers and do not already have a heat illness prevention plan, you should create one immediately. The consequences are too great in our hot summers.