Working in the Heat
Soon we will be experiencing the hot humid days associated with Ontario summers. Last summer proved to be very hot with some days reaching into the 40-degree range with humidity. For those employees that have to work in the outdoors, next to heat producing machinery or inside kitchens this kind of weather can be dangerous or even fatal. Unfortunately, last summer one employee in a Toronto bakery lost his life because of the hot, humid weather.
A hot environment can be a health and safety risk because:
- Heat is a potentially hazardous physical agent – short term exposure may only produce mild discomfort while prolonged exposure can lead to heat exhaustion, injury and death
- In jobs which involve working near machines which give off heat, the heart and circulatory system may be overstrained by the task of cooling the body, while at the same time, providing heat energy to the muscles to do work. The resulting thermal imbalance can impair performance and cause illness.
- Heat stress can also be caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to sunlight.
- Certain conditions can cause people to be an increased risk for heat illness such as: obesity, fatigue, alcohol, sunburn, lack of acclimatisation, fluid deficit, previous history of heat injury, fever, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and malnutrition.
The following are a list of workers who are most at risk for heat injuries:
- Workers who work in warm moist environments such as laundry facilities
- Workers in auto repair garages
- Workers exposed to extreme temperatures, such as machinery that gives off heat
- Groundskeepers
- Landscapers
- Golf course employees
- Facility management persons
- Cemetery workers
- Parks and recreation or gardening employees
Order OSSA’s Working in the Heat Tourism and Hospitality Hazard Kit.
This product helps employers and employees recognize, assess and control hazards of working in the heat and heat related stresses. It also provides a brief outline of the legislation that applies to heat stress. The product includes a:
- Quick Reference Guide
- Customizable Hazard Inspection Form Template on diskette
- Test Questions and Answer worksheets
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Ordering the Hazard Kit
Orders for this product can be placed online through the Product Catalogue or by calling our Client Services Line at 1-888-478-6772.
Did you know?
You should never store flammable chemicals near any source of heat.
