June is National Safety Month!

The summer months bring hot, sunny weather that many of us look forward to throughout the year.  But for those who earn their living working outside in a variety of labor-intensive industries such as construction, farming, firefighting, mining, manufacturing, maritime  and many others, this time of the year—and certainly National Safety Month—is definitely the right time to take some very necessary precautions that can save lives as heat becomes a health and safety factor.  The bottom line is that no employer should ignore the safety of their workers who toil outside in soaring temperatures.  What better way to recognize National Safety Month than to educate ourselves on the benefits of prevention that can save lives and protect your business.  Once again—and pardon me for repeating myself on this one but it is so important—education, training and awareness are the core components to a safe and healthy workplace.  Call it the occupational medicine instinct that’s deeply ingrained in me after 17 years in this field, but I’m an unabashed advocate for prevention because preventing illness and debilitating health issues is what protects your business, which is always first and foremost in my thoughts.  What’s so important to understand is that you have the ability to control and prevent absences, legal liability, and even fatalities within your workforce by simply making sure employees and supervisors are educated about the threat of heat.  Teaching them how to prevent heat-related stress, spot signs of trouble and take action quickly when there are indications of heat trauma are absolutely essential in designing an education and training process for new and current employees. 

 

So the first question one might ask is what are the factors that contribute to heat stress?  Direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity, physical exertion and lack of sufficient water intake are all factors.  So what are some of the ways to minimize these factors during our warmest months?  Explain to workers the benefits of choosing lightweight clothing that doesn’t cling and confine.  One of the best choices is “breathable” fabric like cotton that allows sweat to evaporate easily which is how the body cools itself.  Also, sunscreen is a must and should be chosen to prevent damage from the more intensive ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and provide the year-round protection needed against UVA rays.  Workers really need a full scope of protection that also includes safety glasses that screen UV rays. 

 

Preparing for summer months and preventing the onset of heat illnesses isn’t just the right thing to do to protect your employees’ health, it can save you dollars as well.  If an employee is absent from work for even a portion of a day due to a heat illness, doesn’t this cost production time?  What about workers compensation?  What many companies don’t realize yet is that the National Council on Compensation Insurance recently announced that it is revising the way that E-Mods (Experience Modification Rates) are calculated and that those changes will dramatically impact what companies are paying for WC programs.  Now does preventing a debilitating heat illness make sense?  Communication and education is always a smart choice for businesses to prevent lost time.  Some precautions for heat stress include staying hydrated and making water readily available to workers; taking regular breaks in a cool place; allowing employees to acclimate to the heat by building tolerance over a recommended one-to two-week period; being aware of medical conditions or medications that could pose a risk factor to heat exposure; scheduling outdoor tasks in the morning avoiding the hottest part of the day; and considering protective gear such as garments with reflective materials. 

 

Employers who are knowledgeable and prepared can control the risk of illness especially with new employees on the job who have received a pre-employment exam and physical ability screening to be sure they are fit-for-duty year-round.  And don’t forget your older workers.  The Centers for Disease Control reports that workers at the greatest risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.  It’s important to make it clear to employees that they too are responsible for their health practices.  Realistically, there cannot be a supervisor assigned to every employee to monitor heat risks and signs of illness.  Consider a heat prevention tip sheet or check with local health care providers to find out if they have educational material you can conveniently share with workers.  Also, remember heat stress doesn’t just happen in the workplace.  Think “ripple effect” when you educate your workforce and take pride in the fact that you are making a huge contribution to the health and welfare of our entire region. 

 

Caroline Taylor is an RN and President of Taylor Made Diagnostics, a leader in providing occupational medical services in Hampton Roads.  TMD is located at the Gateway at SoNo, 801 Poindexter Street, Suite 218 in Chesapeake, Va. 23324, 757-494-1688, www.tmdoccmed.com. Ms. Taylor is a 2011 Inside Business “Women in Business Achievement Award” honoree. 

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