Raising Awareness About Indoor Heat Illness is a Year-round Concern
Raising awareness about the causes, consequences and prevention of heat illness in indoor working environments, particularly during the hot summer months, can have a significant impact in reducing the number of heat-related illnesses in the workplace. However, indoor heat illness in high risk environments is a year-round concern.
Operations involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities have a high potential for inducing heat stress in employees engaged in such operations. Such places include iron and steel foundries, brick-firing and ceramic plants, glass and rubber products facilities, electrical utilities (particularly boiler rooms), bakeries, commercial kitchens, laundries, canneries, chemical plants, mining sites, smelters, and warehouses without air conditioning. Some types of protective clothing are also likely to cause heat stress among exposed workers.
Studies show that heat illness and even heat fatalities can occur indoors. Some common heat disorders and adverse health effects from exposure include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, fainting, heat rashes, and heat-related fatigue.
Effective reduction of heat illness depends on effective climate controls and good work practices. Employers with employees near sources of heat or inside buildings with limited cooling capabilities are encouraged and may be required to have, as part of their injury and illness prevention program, an effective written heat policy. Heat management tools include ventilation, fans and air cooling, access to water, access to cooler rest areas, acclimatization, weather and worker monitoring. Employee and supervisor training that includes knowing the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the proper emergency steps are key to establishing good work practices.
CPC’s Indoor Heat Illness poster (#74784) reminds employers and workers to be cautious of indoor heat illness and what can be done to prevent it.