Rising temperatures have become a significant concern for individuals and businesses alike. It is crucial to understand the dangers of heat stress and exhaustion, as well as the overall impact it can have on employee health. At Karl Environmental, we believe that knowledge and preparedness are key to minimizing these risks. We will explain what dangers can arise and how to effectively decrease the chances of them occurring.
Understanding Heat Stress & Exhaustion
Heat stress and exhaustion can happen when the body becomes overwhelmed by excessive heat, which limits natural cooling mechanisms. The first stage, heat stress, will lead to discomfort, fatigue, and will reduce productivity. If the issue isn’t resolved, it can dramatically increase to heat exhaustion, where individuals will start to sweat profusely, become sick, and even faint.
Dangers
- Heat Stroke – The most severe form of heat-related illness, which can be life threatening. Symptoms include confusion, seizures, organ failure, and possible death.
- Impaired Cognitive Function – Decision-making can be affected, lowering concentration and performance. This may increase your chances of accidents or other injuries.
Benefits of a Certified Safety Professional
To combat rising temperatures, a Certified Safety Professional is a handy addition to your team! They can assess workplace conditions and develop a plan to try and decrease overall temperatures or keep workers cool during their shifts. Similarly, once the plan is implemented, they can help train employees to follow the correct procedures.
Impacts of Rising Temperatures on Employee Health
- Dehydration – A lack of hydration will contribute to increased fatigue, muscle cramps, and further physical performance that becomes impaired over time.
- Cardiovascular Strain – Heat stress will result in damage to the cardiovascular system, which can be deadly for individuals already affected by hypertension and heart disease.
- Respiratory Issues – When temperatures increase, air quality also worsens. This can induce respiratory complications, such as asthma and basic allergies.
How to Protect Employees
- The best step is to encourage and provide access to drinking water throughout the day. You can also provide electrolyte-rich beverages to support the electrolyte balance that is affected by sweating.
- If possible, it is helpful to change work schedules to optimize work during cooler periods of time. If not, give workers frequent breaks in shaded and air-conditioned areas.
- Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect employees from direct sun exposure. Besides heat stress, prolonged exposure to the sun can result in sunburn and similar issues.
- Lastly, provide resources to train employees on signs and symptoms of heat stress and exhaustion. Encourage them to also communicate with you where they think changes could be made.
How are you handling the heat? By learning more about the dangers of heat stress, you can invest more time and energy to implement worthwhile solutions. Work has to get done, but the safety of your employees is the biggest priority! For more information, be sure to check out our blog. If you’re interested, contact us through phone, email, or by filling out the form on our contact page.
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