Heat

Heat can be more than uncomfortable. It can be dangerous and even deadly. Summer weather is a common cause of heat problems. Workers are also exposed to heat in boiler rooms, laundry facilities, confined spaces, and during welding or brazing. Too much heat can cause a number of health problems.

Health effects

Being exposed to heat can cause:

• Heat rash is also known as prickly heat. 
  
  
• Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms. The cramps usually are felt in the arms, legs and stomach area. They usually occur after sweating heavily and not drinking enough liquids. 
  
  
• Heat exhaustion symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, clammy skin, heavy sweating, loss of appetite, nausea and pain in the stomach area. These symptoms are brought on when the body loses too much fluid (dehydration) during hard physical labor. 
  
  
• HEAT STROKE
  The body can no longer cool itself. The person’s skin becomes hot and red or blotchy, and their body temperature is as high as 105 degrees or more. Heat stroke can cause a person to lose consciousness and go into a coma.
  
  HEAT STROKE CAN KILL. Heat stroke is a condition that needs immediate medical attention. 
  
  
  
• Other effects of exposure include heart disease. Workers also become less alert and are more likely to injure themselves or others.

Measuring heat hazards

Knowing the temperature is only part of figuring out if it is too hot. The effects of heat increase when it is humid or when there is no breeze. A Wet Bulb Globe Temperature device gives a reading based on heat, humidity and wind speed, and provides a more accurate measure of the effects of heat on the body.

Controlling heat hazards

Engineering controls

Ventilation and air conditioning: Air conditioning can eliminate heat hazards in buildings and vehicles. Areas with machines such as ovens, dryers and other equipment that cause heat need exhaust systems to remove the extra heat that is produced.

Work practices (administrative controls)

The following changes can protect workers from heat:

• Scheduling: Do the hottest work during early morning, evening or night hours, or on cooler days. 
  
  
• Job rotation: Divide heavy and hot work among more workers. 
  
  
• Breaks: Take breaks preferably in an air- conditioned area or at least a shady place. 
  
  
• Drink fluids: Replace the fluids that are lost through sweating. AVOID DRINKS THAT CONTAIN CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL! Caffeine and alcohol make you lose more fluids. 
  
  
• Get used to heat gradually: Workers need a chance to get used to heat (acclimatization). At first, work in hot environments should be limited to short periods. The amount of time that workers spend in the heat should be increased gradually.

Personal protective equipment

Light-colored clothing should be worn. Cooling vests provide some protection for jobs like highway repair and working on boilers and in steam tunnels.

Laws

There are no OSHA standards that limit the amount of heat exposure to workers. (The state of Minnesota has a heat standard for indoors.) OSHA can, however, rule that an employer has violated its “general duty” to provide a safe workplace if heat is excessive.