High temperatures and humidity are finally here. NHADA reminds members it’s important to take steps to prevent heat-related illness, which can be very serious and even deadly. Members are also reminded that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently has a heat stress emphasis program, meaning they will visit any workplace upon receiving a complaint. Some of the best practices recommended include:
- Employee awareness
- Proper hydration
- Air circulators
- Frequent breaks in air-conditioned areas
- Lightweight clothing (shorts)
- Cooling wearables
It’s also important to monitor employees and take prompt action if you recognize the symptoms of a heat-related illness, which can include:
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Faintness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure upon standing
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
Lastly, we are asking members to be extra vigilant early in the summer season as employees haven’t been acclimated to the high heat. Acclimation is one of the risk factors.
For more information and assistance with heat injury prevention resources, contact your NHADA loss prevention rep or Brian Duplessis at bduplessis@nhada.com.
