Keep Outdoor Workers Safe From Summer Hazards

(Published May 25, 2009)

If you have any employees that work outdoors, you must take precautions to ensure that they are safe this summer — not only from the heat, but also from the sun, insects, and poisonous plants.

Beat The Heat

Each year, an average of 170 people in the U.S. die from heat-related causes, according to the National Weather Service. Though heat-related illness is mainly caused by physical exertion in an excessively hot environment, additional factors may contribute to the onset of an individual's heat-related illness, including: relative humidity, direct sun, limited air movement, poor physical conditioning, medication (including certain types of blood pressure, allergy, or depression medication), and inadequate water intake.

Here are some recommendations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to help protect workers from heat illness.

1. Train workers and supervisors to recognize and respond early to heat illness symptoms. Workers must understand that they are not to ignore any discomfort or other symptoms they are experiencing, but must report these problems immediately to their supervisor. Supervisors should be trained on proper emergency response procedures.

The two major types of heat-related illness are:

• Heat exhaustion — Occurs when body fluids are lost through sweating and are not replenished quickly enough. Symptoms may include profuse sweating, dizziness and fainting, and muscle cramps. Treatment includes moving the person to a cool, shaded area; removing any constricting clothing; and administering fluids. Seek medical help if the individual can't keep fluids down; if their mental status begins to deteriorate; or if they experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or abdominal pain.
  
  
• Heat stroke — Occurs when the body's cooling system stops working. Symptoms may include mental confusion, loss of consciousness, and hot, dry skin. If heat stroke is suspected, an ambulance should be summoned immediately.

2. Print out copies of OSHA's Heat Stress Quick Card^TM and distribute to all supervisors and workers; a Spanish-language version is also available.

3. Acclimatize workers by gradually exposing them to work in a hot environment for progressively longer periods.

4. Provide recovery areas such as air-conditioned enclosures and rooms, and allow workers to take frequent short breaks in cool shade. Beware of managers that pressure workers to skip or shorten needed breaks.

5. Provide cool water (or any cool liquid, except alcoholic and caffeinated beverages) to workers. Encourage them to drink small amounts frequently, e.g., one cup every 15-20 minutes.

6. Avoid requiring excessive lifting, climbing, or digging with heavy objects in the heat. Reschedule hot jobs for the cooler part of the day. Use relief workers or assign extra workers as necessary.

Sun Safety

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes premature aging of the skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. Here's what you can do to limit workers' sun exposure:

• Have workers cover up with loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants; a wide-brim hat; and UV-absorbent sunglasses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB radiation.
  
  
• Supply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 for workers to apply throughout the day.
  
  
• Limit outdoor activity during peak sunlight hours, when possible. UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Beware Of Bugs

Insects are more than just a mild annoyance; they can transmit serious illnesses. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other diseases can result from being bitten by an infected deer tick, and mosquitoes can transmit deadly West Nile Virus. Help prevent workers from being bitten.

• Require or supply long-sleeved shirts and long pants to minimize skin exposure. Prohibit sandals or other open shoes; pant legs should be tucked into socks or boots to minimize skin exposure.
  
  
• Provide insect repellants.
  
  
• Remind workers to take extra precautions when mosquitoes are most active (i.e., at dusk or at dawn).
  
  
• Get rid of sources of standing water, which are mosquito breeding grounds.

Poisonous Plants

According to OSHA, 85% of people are susceptible to allergic reactions to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. OSHA's advice:

• Train workers on recognizing and avoiding these plants.
  
  
• Again, long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots should be the standard dress. Also provide cloth or leather gloves, and barrier creams to apply to exposed skin.
  
  
• Make rubbing alcohol accessible, which can remove the plants' oily resin up to 30 minutes after exposure.

Related Topic(s): Safety & Health