As we approach the start of summer, we should consider the health and safety dangers of the high heat and humidity that summer brings. For the clients of TMF Law Offices, Employee Health & Safety always comes first.

• Heat Exhaustion: Warning signs include faintness or dizziness, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, and nausea.
• Heat Stroke: Warning signs, which are much more serious and can be fatal, include no sweating, red-hot dry skin, fainting, and convulsions. If a person exhibits these symptoms, get them out of the heat immediately.

Visit OSHA’s website for information on their heat illness prevention campaign at https://www.osha.gov/heat/, and the National Weather Service website for heat safety tips and resources.

First Aid:

• Give the victim sips of salt water (one teaspoonful of salt per glass every 15 minutes) over a period of one hour.
• Have the victim lie down and raise their feet above the head.
• Loosen the victim’s clothing and remove unnecessary clothing.
• Apply cool, wet cloths and fan the victim or move them to an air-conditioned room.
• If the victim vomits, do not administer additional fluids. Take them to a hospital for intravenous treatment as soon as possible.
• After an attack of heat exhaustion, the victim should rest and be protected from further exposure to warm temperatures.
• It may be advisable for the victim to seek medical attention before returning to hot, strenuous activities.

OSHA tells us: “Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses, and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.”

Currently, OSHA does not have a specific standard for hazardous heat conditions, but it does have a heat illness prevention campaign with a lot of information and resources, as mentioned above. Note that this does not mean that heat exhaustion dangers are outside the General Duty clause: “Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat.” The National Weather Service website (also above) has outreach materials in Spanish.

Be on the lookout for heat exhaustion when working in high heat. Consider pairing your workers up in a buddy system so they can keep an eye on each other. Follow the first aid tips listed above if someone falls victim to either condition. Train your employees! With training and awareness, heat exhaustion can be avoided.

For training information, visit the links above or this OSHA-NIOSH infosheet: protecting workers from heat illness.