July 2009
UNDER THE BLAZING HEAT OF THE SUN / HEAT STRESS

OSHA reminds outdoor workers of vital safety procedures.

The heat is on this summer, and for outdoor workers, rising temperatures are not the only danger. Workers must also beware of heat-related injuries, poison ivy and fatal diseases.

The OSHA website features a Fact Sheet that provides workers with safety tips. (See the link below). Here is a short recap of the Fact Sheet.

For UV-ray protection:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, but make sure they're loose enough to allow air circulation
• Use sunscreen with SPF of at least 30
• Put on a wide-brimmed hat to shield ears, eyes, scalp, forehead and nose
• Wear UV-absorbent sunglasses
• Be aware that UV rays are most powerful between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To prevent heat-related injuries:

• Drink water frequently
• Wear cotton-made, light-colored and loose clothing
• Eat light before working
• Avoid intakes of caffeine, alcohol and sugar-heavy foods before working.

To prevent Lymes and other tick-borne diseases:

• Wear light-colored shirts to spot ticks easily
• Wear long-sleeves
• Tuck pant legs into socks or boots
• Wear boots/closed shoes that completely shield the feet
• Apply tick repellants
• Check for and remove ticks on the body after working
     (using fine-tipped tweezers).

To prevent West Nile Virus:

• Use insect repellents with DEET
• Take extra care during dusk and dawn (active time for mosquitoes)
• Reduce mosquitoes' breeding areas (areas where water may stagnate - tires, ditches, drums, etc.)

To avoid poison oak injuries/illnesses:

• Increase employee awareness of poison oak (symptoms, etc.)
• Tuck pants into boots
• Wear gloves
• Keep rubbing alcohol handy.

Here is the website for additional tips and more detail on this subject:

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/working_outdoors.pdf

Heat Stress

Here is an excellent link on the OSHA website that you get when you enter "heat stress" into the search bar on the OSHA website:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/searchresults.category?p_text=heat%20stress&p_title=&p_status=CURRENT

Be sure to check out the links under the "Top Links" section. There is even a link for printing out a Heat Stress employee card in Spanish if needed.

Feel free to contact me on any of these items if you have questions.

Michael Dodd
GAWDA DOT, Security, OSHA, and EPA Consultant
MLD Safety Associates, LLC
597 County Road 467
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(573) 785-5111
Fax: (573) 785-5112
Email: MLDSafety@hotmail.com

Important:

This information is offered by the Gases and Welding Distributors Association and your local distributor as general guidance only and may not explain all relevant safety precautions or hazards.

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