Working Safely in Hot Weather

Date: 2025-10-07

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To understand the hazards of working in hot weather and how to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Introduction

Working in hot weather can lead to serious health issues like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It's crucial to understand the risks and take preventive measures to protect ourselves and our coworkers.

Key Points

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. Aim for about 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15-20 minutes during moderate work in the heat. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, as they can dehydrate you. [6]
• Take Frequent Breaks: Take regular breaks in a cool, shaded area to allow your body to recover. Rest breaks should increase as heat stress rises. [6] [9]
• Wear Appropriate Clothing: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing to help your body stay cool. Cotton clothing can be soaked in water to aid cooling. [5] [8]
• Know the Signs of Heat Illness: Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both in yourself and your coworkers. Early recognition and treatment are crucial. [5] [6]
• Acclimatize to the Heat: Gradually increase your exposure to hot environments over a period of 7-14 days to allow your body to adjust. New workers should start with no more than 20% exposure to heat on day 1, increasing by no more than 20% each additional day. [8] [8]

Hazard Identification

• Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, confusion, nausea, muscle cramps, slightly elevated body temperature. Can progress to heat stroke if not treated. [1]
• Heat Stroke: High body temperature (106°F or higher), hot, dry skin or profuse sweating, confusion, slurred speech, seizures, unconsciousness. Can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given. [1] [7]
• Dehydration: Thirst, dizziness, fatigue, headache, decreased urine output. Can lead to heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.
• Sunburn: Painful, red skin that can blister. Increases risk of skin cancer. [3]

Control Measures

• Provide access to cool drinking water.: Ensure that workers have access to cool drinking water at all times. Encourage frequent hydration. [4]
• Provide shaded or air-conditioned rest areas.: Designate cool areas where workers can take breaks and recover from the heat. [4]
• Modify work schedules.: Schedule physically demanding work for cooler times of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon. [2]
• Use mechanical aids to reduce physical effort.: Provide dollies, carts, lifting devices, etc., to reduce the physical strain on workers. [2]
• Implement a buddy system.: Encourage workers to monitor each other for signs and symptoms of heat illness. [8]
• Improve ventilation.: Use fans, air conditioning, or other methods to improve air circulation in indoor work areas. [4]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours, or more often if sweating heavily.
• Lightweight, Light-Colored, Loose-Fitting Clothing: Wear clothing that allows your skin to breathe and reflects sunlight. [5]
• Wide-Brimmed Hat: Wear a hat to protect your head and face from the sun.

Real-World Example or Case Study

Ben, a brick layer, had been working outside for several hours in extremely hot temperatures. He began to feel nauseated, his head ached, and he was sweating heavily. His supervisor noticed Ben was working much slower than usual and asked him how he felt. When he heard the symptoms, he called 911, took Ben to the shade, gave him a cool drink, and wetted him with cool water and ice. [6]

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

1. Have you or someone you know ever experienced a heat-related illness on the job? If so, what happened?
2. What can you do to help avoid heat-related illnesses?
3. What will we do at the worksite to prevent heat-related illnesses?

Emergency Procedures

1. Call 911 immediately. [1]
2. Move the worker to a cool, shaded area. [5]
3. Loosen or remove heavy clothing. [5]
4. Cool the worker by fanning and misting with water. [5]

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. [6]
• Take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded area. [6]
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and seek help immediately. [6]
• Wear appropriate clothing and use PPE to protect yourself from the sun and heat.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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