Real Hot is Really Dangerous

August 28, 2024|Construction, Safety

By Robert Lahey, Contributor

In the summertime while outdoor construction work is at its peak, increases in sunshine and temperature serve as stark reminders of the potential for various types of heat-related illness on the job. These risks are not only real, but really dangerous.

Heat is a well-known and easily-recognized occupational hazard. It can be felt, but is oftentimes unseen – until it is too late. The symptoms vary, too, throughout this hierarchy of hazards:

MILD

HEAT RASH

Symptoms

Red clusters of small blisters or bumps on the skin – usually on neck, chest, groin, or elbow crease

Response

Stay in a cool, dry place and use powder to soothe the rash

SUNBURN

Symptoms

Painful red, warm skin

Response

Find shade and apply a cool cloth, moisturizing lotion, or sunblock

MODERATE

HEAT CRAMPS

Symptoms

Heavy sweating during intense exertion and muscle pain/spasms

Response

Cease physical activity and find a shaded, cool place to drink water/sports drink

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Symptoms

Heavy sweating, cold/pale/clammy skin, nausea, cramping, tiredness, dizziness, headache, or fainting

Response

Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply wet cloths, hydrate lightly, and consider medical attention

SEVERE

HEAT STROKE

Symptoms

Elevated body temperature (103°F or higher), hot/red skin, fast pulse, dizziness/confusion, and loss of consciousness

Response

Dial 911 for this medical emergency, relocate to a cooling area, use wet cloths, and DO NOT hydrate
Without adequate protection and training, workers are at risk, as evidenced by the fact that more than 430 persons have died due to workplace exposures since 2011. New employees who are not acclimated to extreme conditions are the most vulnerable, with nearly 75% of these fatalities occurring during the first week on the job.

Furthermore, an average of 2,700 cases each year involve heat-related illnesses that result in lost productivity – an economic burden for employers and employees alike. In the end, preventative strategies and timely responses serve the best interests of all involved.

To that end, the U.S. Department of Labor OSHA launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP) in 2022 to protect employees from heat-related hazards and injuries in both outdoor and indoor settings. The NEP is still in effect and expands on the agency’s heat illness prevention campaign by setting forth a targeted enforcement component and reiterating its compliance assistance and outreach efforts.

And in furtherance of this initiative, earlier this year the OSHA Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health unanimously recommended that the federal agency move forward expeditiously in its rulemaking process, thus paving the way for input from a wide range of stakeholders, as well as the public at large.

It is widely expected that this action will soon lead to a newly-proposed safety standard that is sure to save the lives – and preserve the livelihoods – of American workers nationwide.