The season may seam idyllic, but even so, we should consider improving our summer experiences both at work and at play by maintaining our health as the temperature ticks up toward triple-digits.

Although excess heat is one the most frequent causes of workplace injuries and fatalities, some health experts estimate that many of today's heat-related problems go unreported. The fact remains that some employers and employees are unaware of the threat that severe heat can pose. Far from being a benign irritation, heat stress can cause cramps, burns, exhaustion, heat stroke and even death unless addressed in a timely manner.

A Nationwide Concern
In the United States alone, heat exposure accounted for 38 percent of weather-related fatalities between 1975 and 2004, excluding natural disasters, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 53 people were killed from contact with extreme temperatures in the workplace in 2006 alone. These numbers indicate that heat stress can be harmful in both occupational and personal pursuits, emphasizing the need for appropriate precautions and heat awareness.

Heat-related concerns that go unreported or ignored can be particularly harmful in the manufacturing and agricultural industries. Those who work outdoors and have direct exposure to sunlight, like construction workers and farmers, are at an obvious risk of injury. But indoor settings, such as fabrication shops or machining floors, can also yield potentially hazardous heat effects.

Mine workers, tunnel employees and others who spend time underground are at high risk for heat-related problems. A study from the Society of Occupational Medicine found a close relationship between surface temperatures and underground temperatures, concluding that "the incidence of heat exhaustion increases in summer," particularly among those employed below the earth's surface.

Measurements like the heat index can help workers evaluate surrounding heat conditions. The heat index represents the cumulative effect of temperature and humidity in a given area. For example, 85 degrees Fahrenheit coupled with 60 percent humidity will have the same effect as being in a 90 degree environment, or up to 10 to 15 degrees higher in direct sunlight. A heat stress index calculator can be a useful tool for determining these figures.

Common Heat-Related Hazards
A heat cramp is a type of spasm in the arm, leg or abdomen muscles. These cramps usually afflict the muscle group that has undergone the greatest exertion. They are brief and painful, but can also indicate a more serious affliction. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), common causes for heat cramping include the following:

• Heavy sweating in elevated temperature;

• Drinking large amounts of water without replacing sodium loss; and

• Working for long periods in severe heat.

Drinking electrolyte sports drinks or eating certain fruits can help replenish sodium loss and reduce the chance of heat cramps.

By contrast, heat exhaustion is a more acute heat-related problem also caused by sodium depletion and severe loss of fluid through sweating. It has several physiological effects, but does not result in noticeable changes in body temperature. Some signs of heat exhaustion are these:

• Clammy or moist skin;

• Pale or reddened complexion;

• Weakness and fatigue;

• Headaches or disorientation; and

• Nausea or vomiting.

In cases of heat exhaustion, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends moving the victim into a cool or shaded area, providing drinking fluids and applying ice packs to help with recovery.

According to OSHA, heat stroke is one of the most dangerous heat-related disorders and constitutes "a medical emergency that may result in death." It is caused by the body's inability to properly regulate internal temperature, resulting in elevated temperatures that can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms of heat stroke include the following:

• Erratic behavior;

• Fainting or loss of consciousness;

• Body convulsions;

• Hot, dry skin with no sweating; and

• Abnormally high body temperature.

Upon signs of heat stroke, emergency services should be contacted immediately. Until they arrive, OSHA suggests removing the victim's outer layer of clothing, moving the victim to a cooler location, dousing him with cold water and providing him with fluids.

Avoiding Heat Stress
In an industrial workplace, the symptoms of heat-related injury can be quite harmful to an employee and to the manufacturing process. Loss of concentration, disorientation, fainting, spasms and convulsions can result in serious harm when operating machinery or handling sensitive materials. In addition, lost work time may hamper production rates and increase employer expenses.

For these reasons, preventing or reducing the chances of heat cramps, exhaustion and stroke are all the more important.

Aside from the individual treatments mentioned earlier, there are several general steps manufacturers can take to improve workplace safety during hot periods. OSHA recommends that employers do the following:

• Make scheduling changes so hot jobs are performed during the cooler part of the day;

• Lower the amount of physical exertion for each employee to prevent excessive lifting or overheating;

• Provide careful supervision over employees with health risks, such as heart conditions, by monitoring heart rates and temperatures;

• Create cooling-off zones with air-conditioned rooms and cold water, or provide periodic rest periods for physical labor; and

• Open windows, turn on fans or activate ventilation systems to create airflow.

Likewise, there are numerous precautions employees can take to reduce the risk of heat stress and its related symptoms. Some suggestions for workers:

• Wear light or reflective clothes that keep the body from retaining too much heat;

• Drink 5 to 7 ounces of water or other hydrating fluid every 15 to 20 minutes; and

• Reduce or consult a physician about the intake of substances that cause dehydration, such as alcohol or certain medications.

In addition to these suggestions, both employers and workers might benefit from training seminars that educate them about heat hazards, safety measures and the implementation of health-conscious work practices. Following these steps, or reinforcing existing workplace safety standards, can help drive down the rate of injury and increase the likelihood of enjoying a sunny summer's day.

Resources

National Average Weather Fatalities (1975-2004)
National Weather Service, June 2004

Fatal Occupational Injuries by Event or Exposure, 2001-2006
Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2007

Weather Conversion Calculators
by Milt Kooyman

The Risk of Heat Exhaustion at a Deep Underground Metalliferous Mine in Relation to Surface Temperatures
by A.M. Donaghue and G.P. Bates
Occupational Medicine (Oxford Journals), 2000

Working in Hot Environments
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1986

OSHA Fact Sheet
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health