Construction Workers - Heat Illnesses on the Rise
It doesn’t have to be over 100 degrees for construction workers to suffer from heat illnesses and injuries
The real problem is not just the temperature but the heat index which is a combined calculation of both the temperature and humidity. OSHA has defined what heat index level poses a moderate or dangerous risk. But construction workers may suffer from heat stress and heat illnesses in either the moderate or dangerous level of the heat index.
Any worker may suffer from heat stress, but which employees are most vulnerable will depend on individual characteristics, exactly where they are working, what heat producing equipment is nearby, how they are dressed, if they are working directly in the sun, if they are hydrated, or dehydrated, or have other aggravating personal conditions. If a worker has not had time to acclimate to the heat, they are more vulnerable, but any worker could suffer heat stroke, or other heat illness and every year several workers die due to heat related illnesses.
Working around heavy equipment comes with certain risks that must be recognized and managed. In the same way, the dangers of working in excessive heat must be managed, whether the heat is a direct result of excessive heat emanating from equipment, processes, or a high heat index. Construction workers are a vital part of your company’s success and protections must be provided for every type of danger in the work environment.
OSHA has defined dangerous heat index levels and what procedures must be followed to mitigate the effects of heat stress before workers are overwhelmed. But the challenge is to know when to implement those procedure. Workers are often unaware they are in danger until it’s too late. The first indication that a worker is suffering from heat illness may be when they collapse, convulse, or lose consciousness. At that point, it is a medical emergency and the time for mitigating interventions is long past.
However, there is a way to know the exact heat index in any indoor or outdoor work environment.
HeatAlert™ Monitoring Stations can be installed in any work zone, and they monitor the heat index in real time, 24/7. The device displays either a flashing amber (moderate risk) or flashing red (high risk) light, depending on the heat index. Employees are immediately aware that the heat index has reached a level where mitigating procedures must be implemented. Additionally, the HeatAlert™ Monitoring Station can send a text message to the supervisor that dangerous heat conditions have developed in a work zone, so they can ensure that standard operating procedures are implemented and followed.
Now supervisors don’t have to wait for a medical emergency to manifest before they detect that their workers are in danger. Heat illnesses injure thousands and kill hundreds of workers every year, but these injuries and deaths can be prevented. It is time to start being proactive, instead of reactive, for the safety of your workers.
HeatAlert™ Monitoring Stations provide a real time warning that construction workers are laboring in dangerous heat conditions.
The monitoring stations are affordable, accurate, efficient, and vital for your worker’s safety.
To learn more about HeatAlert™ Monitoring Stations visit our website
Or call Michael toll free 1-800-831-4551 or in Oregon 503-692-6657
IceAlert, Inc.
20460 SW Avery Ct.
Suite B
Tualatin, OR 97062
Phone 503-692-6656
Toll Free 1-800-831-4551
Fax 503-692-6657
Email
info@icealert.com