SAFETY ZONE
KEEPING OUR TEAM SAFE ON THOSE HOT SUMMER DAYS
D
uring the summer months, our industry is in full swing across the nation. Daily tasks and completion of workloads that have often been performed for months are taken for granted. We, as supervisors and managers, must recognize the dangers of the summer heat and adjust our expectations until our team becomes acclimated to the higher temperatures of the season.
Heat-related illness must be taken seriously, and steps must be taken to protect our staff. Even veterans in the field must be reminded of the risks, symptoms, treatment and precautions against heat stress. As with all the hazards we face, training is critical and a safety-first culture is a priority. Your team must know that produc- tion may drop for the first few days of a heat wave and that this is acceptable, as safety is paramount. Workers will acclimate to the higher tempera- tures over a period of days. Hydration, diet, health/medications and experience all play a part in this process. Educate your team about the need to pay attention to these items as well as proper rest during a heat wave or the start of high temperatures in your region. Protect your team by providing:
1. Safety training on heat-related illness 2. Light colored or reflective clothing 3. Hats, preferably wide brimmed 4. Breaks in the shade 5. Fluids to rehydrate: 1 cup of water every 15- 20 minutes. Remind them to stay away from caffeine and after-hour alcoholic beverages.
6. A workday with more physical exertion early before the day’s highest temperatures
7. Co-workers and supervisors that can recog- nize and treat heat-related illnesses
8. An environment where they feel safe to re- port any symptoms and take a break
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESS Heat Stroke (Most serious) • Confusion • Mood swing, irritability, angriness • Seizures
• Very high body temperature • Sweating often stops/hot, dry skin • Loss of consciousness
Heat Exhaustion • Headache • Dizziness • Weakness • Thirst • Heavy sweating • Decreased urination/dark urine • Elevated body temperature
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A WORKER IS SICK FROM THE HEAT Heat Stroke • Call 911. • Move the worker to a shaded area. • Cool the worker with water, and fan him or her.
• Apply ice if you have it. • Stay with the worker until medical help arrives.
Heat Exhaustion • Move the worker to a shaded area. • Cool the worker with water and ice. • Remove unnecessary clothing such as hat, shirt, shoes and socks.
• Provide the worker with water or a sports drink to sip. If the worker cannot drink, get emergency medical help.
• Have the worker taken to a medical clinic, his or her doctor or an emergency room to be evaluated and treated if needed.
Remember that all of your staff is not equal when it comes to heat-related illness. Previous heat-related illness, age, current health and medications, pregnancy, physical condition and acclimatization all play a role in vulnera- bility to the heat.
Further resources: OSHA QuickCards, OSHA & NIOSH info sheet, CDC website, Red Cross and NALP’s Safety Tailgate and Training Manu- al.
son. 7 Let us have a safe and healthy summer sea-
Joe Ehrenreich, Landscape
Industry Certified, Young’s Landscape Management, NALP Safety & Risk Management Committee Chairman
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS
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