Training your workers to spot the signs of heat illness early can save lives.
The summer months bring countless opportunities to get out into the sun and enjoy the outdoors. While many people find themselves enjoying their time in the sun, it’s important to remember that tens of thousands of workers in Alberta spend 10-12 hours a day working in the heat and that extended time in the heat comes with potentially serious hazards.
Not everyone reacts to heat the same way. Many factors contribute to individual sensitivities, including age, weight, general heath, medical conditions, and medications. Some personal protective equipment can also contribute to heat illnesses, e.g., face masks, gloves, etc.**
Acclimatization also varies between individuals. On average it takes people 4 – 7 working days to become acclimatized to the heat but can take up to 3 weeks. Every time there is a rise in heat intervals the acclimatization period starts over. Often when the heat burden increases, workers begin to feel irritable, lose concentration and lose the ability to do skilled tasks or heavy work.*
On days when the temperature soars, it’s important to train your workers on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the 4 major heat related illnesses:
A heat stroke victim is usually unable to recognize the heat stroke signs and symptoms. Their survival depends on a co-worker’s ability to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate medical help.*** Make sure to monitor every person on your job site to ensure they are adapting to working in the heat.***
5 Tips for Working Safely in Extreme Heat:
Not sure your heat illness procedures would hold up under an OHS inspection? We can walk through what Alberta requires.
Written by
Safety Ahead Team
Alberta-based safety consultants with decades of field experience — COR auditors, OHS advisors, and WCB specialists working with employers across the province.
About Safety AheadWe help Alberta employers build seasonal safety plans and emergency response procedures that actually get followed in the field — not just filed in a binder.
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