Today’s post was shared by US Labor Department and comes from blog.dol.gov
Keep workers safe in hot weather with water, rest and shade.
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.
Heat-related illnesses and deaths can be prevented. Employers and supervisors can save the lives of workers in hot environments by following these eight simple steps:
Institute a heat acclimatization plan and medical monitoring program. Closely supervise new employees for the first 14 days or until they are fully acclimatized. Most heat-related worker deaths occur in the first 3 days on the job and more than a third occur on the very first day. New and temporary workers are disproportionately affected. If someone has not worked in hot weather for at least a week, their body needs time to adjust.
Encourage workers to drink about 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes. During prolonged sweating lasting several hours, they should drink sports beverages containing balanced electrolytes.
Provide shaded or air-conditioned rest areas for cooling down, and empower workers to use them.
Provide workers with protective equipment and clothing (such as water-cooled…
