Safety Tidbit 3.37 - Heat Wave

Safety Tidbit 3.37 – Heat Wave

Reference:      OSHA Occupational Heat Exposure

                        National Weather Service – Heat Safety Tips

                        CDC/NIOSH Acclimatization

Well, summer is here and we’re just going to forget about spring. Merriam-Webster defines a heat wave as “a period of unusually hot weather.” Well, I think, 90+ degrees in early May in Pennsylvania is “unusually hot weather.” I finally pulled the bicycle out and rode a little today. I used the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool on my smartphone just before I left, and the heat index was a Moderate Risk (closer to high if you ask me). The temperature was 95 degrees F and the percent relative humidity was 45% so, according to the app, it felt like 102 outside. The app also gave the precaution to drink adequate amounts of water (8 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes).

My concern this time of year, and the reason for this safety tidbit, is the issue of acclimatization. Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program.

• Provide workers with water, rest and shade.
• Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
• Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
• Monitor workers for signs of illness.

Acclimatization is the process of the body adjusting or adapting to a new climate. Since last week we were in the 40’s and even had snow, I think, 90-degree temperatures qualify as a new climate. The NIOSH explains these physiological adaptations as

            1. Increased sweating efficiency

            2. Stabilization of circulation

            3. The ability to perform work with lower core temperature and heart rate

            4. Increased skin blood flow at a given core temperature

NIOSH explains that acclimatization occurs over 7-14 days. However, when it’s early in the season, like it is now, employers and workers exposed to heat must pay closer attention to the signs of heat stress.

Hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

P.S. If you have an interesting safety or health question please let me know.