Stay Safe & Work Smart this Summer
Longer summer days provide the opportunity to spend more time outside. In order to enjoy all the benefits of summer, it is important to be aware of the potential hazards that are unique to this time of year.
PSO is reminding employees to take proactive actions to protect themselves against heat, sun exposure and other hazards. We’d also like to share these reminders with you and your team. Here is a quick refresher on situations that are unique to this season, and the steps you can take to positively impact your own safety and the safety of your teams. Being prepared for summer weather hazards you may encounter on the job or at home ensures your summer will be a safer one!
Prepare to Work in the Heat
Physical work in the heat is one of the greatest challenges the body can face. Continual work in the heat affects the body’s ability to sense its level of heat stress, which makes it difficult to sense risk. Be aware of the factors that influence how you may react to heat, including:
- Physical condition
- Hydration levels
- Physical exertion
- Air movement
- Exposure to direct sun
- Type of clothing
Before beginning any work, discuss with your team how heat may impact work for that day. If possible, schedule shorter periods of heat exposure for each person, schedule work during times of less heat and make sure the team observes one another to determine if someone is showing symptoms of heat stress.
Signs of heat stress include thirst, headache, dizziness, fainting, weakness, confusion, irritability, nausea and vomiting. Someone who is suffering from a heat illness may also have longer reaction times, be quick to give up, make obvious mistakes or look for shortcuts.
Knowing these symptoms and taking precautions to keep the body as cool as possible are key to avoiding an immediate medical emergency. To minimize the rise in body temperature from heat, assure everyone is hydrated before beginning work and that everyone continues to hydrate while working. It’s optimal to begin that hydration process as early as possible before work begins. Additionally, ensure everyone has a recovery period after working in hot environments.
In the event someone suffers from a heat-induced illness, the most important action is to reduce the individual’s core temperature or keep it from rising higher. You can accomplish this by removing unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks, and having them lie flat on their back in a cool or shaded area with their legs slightly elevated (supine position). Keep as much cold water on the person as possible but avoid pouring or immersing them in cold water. Instead, place towels or rags soaked in ice water on the person’s skin. Be sure to offer them cool water to drink.
Start planning now by
- Making a plan to hydrating, and writing it down
- Increasing everyone’s awareness of heat hazards
- Considering alternative work schedules
Know the Weather Hazards
In addition to extreme heat, summer comes with dangerous hail, thunderstorms and tornados that can quickly move into an area. Prepare for sudden changes in weather by knowing your risks, taking action and looking out for the safety of others. For employees working outside, it’s important to be aware of hazards such as:
- Changing pavement conditions due to rain or hail. Sudden environmental changes can increase the risk for slips, trips, falls, sprains and strains and slick pavement increases the chance for vehicle accidents.
- Sudden flooding that can come from rivers, underpasses and large storm sewers.
- High winds that can make it dangerous to climb ladders or scaffolding.
It is important for all employees, no matter their location, to be alert of what is happening outside. Know the warning signs of a pending storm, which include changes in the type of clouds, precipitation, wind and temperature. Also, be alert to any radar warnings.
If you are under a Tornado Watch, the weather conditions make it possible for a tornado to form. A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been spotted or is strongly indicated on radar. If a warning has been issued, take shelter immediately. For detailed information about what to do during a tornado, visit the National Weather Service website.
Handle the Hazards of Working Outside
Another environmental concern lies in the foliage you may encounter. Poison ivy, oak and sumac can be hidden among other foliage. The oils on these plants cause allergic reactions if not removed immediately. Blisters can appear anywhere between 12 and 48 hours after the exposure followed by itching. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe:
- Avoidance is the best precaution. If you do encounter the plant, the sooner you cleanse the affected skin, the better the chance to eliminate or control the rash.
- Washing the skin in isopropyl alcohol or a commercially available cleanser can help. Even soap and water will work; it is the removal of the oil that is important.
- Remember that tools, clothes, shoes, and even pets can retain the oil and be a new exposure potential, so clean them as well.
- Over-the-counter hydrocortisones usually help in controlling the itch.
- Severe cases or where the exposure is close to the ears or eyes might require a visit to the doctor for prescription strength treatment.
Humans are not the only ones who enjoy warm weather. The warmer temperatures bring many insects and animals into areas you work. Do not be surprised if you come across bees, ticks, mosquitos, spiders, fire ants and snakes. Once again, avoidance is the best precaution.
Inspect all equipment and the job site before beginning any work and be aware of team members who are allergic to any of these hazards. If a hazard is identified, report the situation and make a plan to work around it.
Prepare Vehicles and Drivers for Changing Conditions
Driving in hot weather presents some hazards of its own. School is out and there are more people on the road and as mentioned previously, summer storms constantly change driving conditions while heat impacts your environment. Take these things into consideration when getting behind the wheel:
- Be aware of the temperature difference between a cool interior and the hot weather outside. When you step out onto a hot asphalt parking lot, slow down and take it easy. Give yourself time to adjust to the temperature change before you attempt any strenuous work.
- Summer storms — and even sun showers — require extreme caution. Roads become very slippery in the first few minutes of rainfall because the rain mixes with the oil and dirt on the road. It takes about 30 minutes of steady rain to wash the oil and dirt off the road. Driver visibility is reduced and stopping distance is increased.
- Share the road. Warm weather means more bicycles and motorcycles on the road and a spike in road work. Constantly scan the roadway in front, to the rear and to the sides of your vehicle for motorcyclists and bicyclists.
- Never share lanes with motorcycles, as they also have use of the complete traffic lane. Increase your following distance to four seconds or more when behind motorcycles.
- Manage glare and heat. Keep sunglasses handy and use a sun shield beneath your windshield when parked to keep your vehicle’s interior heat down.
Summer is also an important time for vehicles to overheat and break down, usually when least expected. Also, while car exhaust systems are usually hot all the time, the heat and lack of water makes the grass much drier and more susceptible to catching fire. Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes, battery checks, and tire rotations, go a long way toward preventing breakdowns.