Heat Stress at Work: Prevention and Compensation
Do you work outside during hot weather? Workers exposed to extreme heat face the threat of heat stress, a condition that includes various heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash.
Heat stress not only causes these illnesses but also contributes to workplace injuries. Sweaty palms, fogged-up glasses, and dizziness can lead to dangerous accidents on the job.
Understanding Heat Stress: Different Types and Their Symptoms
"Heat stress" or "heat illness" are blanket terms that include conditions like heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash.
Before trying to prevent or treat extreme heat conditions, it’s important to understand what they are and how they differ:
Heat Stroke: The most severe heat-related injury. It occurs when your body’s temperature rises rapidly and you stop sweating, preventing your body from cooling down. If untreated, heat stroke can be fatal or cause permanent disability. Symptoms include confusion, coma, hot and dry skin, profuse sweating, seizures, and high body temperature.
Heat Cramps: Often caused by excessive sweating, leading to a loss of water and salt. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps. Symptoms include muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
Heat Exhaustion: This occurs when the body loses too much water and salt due to excessive sweating. It is more serious than heat cramps and often affects the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and people working in extreme heat. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, and decreased urine output.
Heat Rash: Excessive sweating can cause skin irritation marked by red clusters of pimples or small blisters, usually on the neck, upper chest, and other areas.
Who is at Risk for Heat Stress?
Certain professions are more susceptible to heat stress conditions, including firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, and landscapers.
Additionally, individuals over age 65, those who are overweight, and those with preexisting medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure are at higher risk. Certain medications can also increase susceptibility to heat stress.
During warmer months, employees who typically aren't exposed to extreme heat may find themselves at greater risk of heat-related injuries.
Preventing Heat Stress at Work
Fortunately, preventing heat stress is straightforward:
Training: Ensure employees know how to handle heat hazards, recognize heat-related illnesses, and perform first aid. Employers should explain how to contact emergency medical services.
Buddy System: Use a buddy system to monitor each other for signs of heat-related illness or injury.
Hydration and Rest: Follow OSHA’s "Water. Rest. Shade." campaign. Drink one cup (8 ounces) of water every 20 minutes and take breaks in cool or shaded areas. Employers should provide cool water and drinks with electrolytes for longer jobs.
Appropriate Clothing: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing, and wide-brim hats to protect from the sun and prevent heat stress.
Sousa Law, LLC Can Help
If you’ve suffered from heat stress due to your work conditions, you might be entitled to workers' compensation. Contact Sousa Law, LLC’s skilled and experienced workers' compensation lawyers for assistance.