HEAT AND THE WORKERS EXPOSED TO IT

Click imageHeat exposure affects thousands of workers exposed to heat outdoors and indoors annually. The atmosphere indoors at operations that involve radiant heat sources, high air temperatures and humidity, as well as direct contact with hot objects and arduous physical activity are breeding grounds for heat-related illness. Typical indoor settings where workers are inclined to experience heat-related illness include: glass products facilities, rubber products and iron and steel factories, non-ferrous foundries, confectionaries, and electrical utilities. Some examples of outdoor operations are construction, asbestos removal, landscaping, and farm work.

Heat is hazardous to workers because the body needs to keep a stable internal temperature by releasing excess heat. It does this by sweating and circulating blood to the skin. While sweating cools the body, it can only do so when humidity levels are low and if salts and fluids and are adequately replaced. When the body stores heat, a person and can no longer focus, becomes sick, faints or even dies.

Situations where procedures found on an OSHA poster may have been overlooked or a person has headaches, nausea or chills may require medical attention. Compliance Poster has been developing workplace compliance posters for almost 25 years. Call us. We help you stay compliant.