Besides being a workplace best practice, providing crews with shade is the law in some states. State regulations in California, state regulations dictate that employers must provide shade to 100% of employees on break once the temperature hits 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the body is unable to cool itself through sweating, serious heat illnesses may occur. The most severe heat-induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If actions are not taken to treat heat exhaustion, the illness could progress to heat stroke and possible death.
Aegion Coating Services LLC provides corrosion protection for structures and facilities around the world. The company’s Corrpro subsidiary has a heat management campaign that provides heat illness prevention training and weekly bulletins on heat management topics relevant to the company’s scope of work.
Although National Heatstroke Prevention Day may have passed (July 31), the danger of heatstroke is still present – especially for young children who are left unattended in cars.
A number of both indoor and outdoor worker populations may be particularly vulnerable to climate variations. Examples include: emergency responders, health care workers, fire fighters, utility workers, farmers, manufacturing workers and transportation workers.
With today’s temperature expected to reach 108 in parts of California – and 100+ high temps predicted for many days during the next two weeks - Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to observe outdoor workers toiling in high heat for signs and symptoms of heat illness. It’s a warning that should be heeded by those in other parts of the country, as well.
The dog days of summer are upon us, but what does that actually mean? This phrase refers to the hottest, most uncomfortable part of the summer, usually ranging from July through August. In ancient times, the return of Sirius (the Dog Star), which is the brightest star in the night sky, would be a forerunner of the hottest phase of the summer.
Fujitsu has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm that can monitor heat stress levels in workers through its “Human Centric AI Zinrai.” The AI will be able to oversee workers like security guards and others who are susceptible heat-related stress, according to Fujitsu.
Forecasters are calling for above-average temperatures across much of the country this summer. Are you prepared to beat the heat? Every year, thousands of workers become ill from working in the heat, and some even die. Construction workers make up about one-third of heat-related worker deaths, but outdoor workers in every industry – particularly agriculture, landscaping, transportation, and oil and gas operations − are at risk when temperatures go up.
