Reacquaint Your Workforce on Heat-Exposure Hazards This Summer

As the summer months begin to approach, it is a good time to reacquaint your workforce with the dangers of heat exposure.  Many do not realize the variety of jobs exposing employees to potentially dangerous heat environments, occurring in both indoor and outdoor settings.  Told by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “operations involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities have a high potential for causing heat-related illness.” Every year thousands of workers are affected by heat exposure, some even die, yet these illnesses are preventable if workers are aware of symptoms and treatment.

OSHA’s website offers a full section dedicated to Occupational Heat Exposure.  The expansive page covers heat-related illnesses and first-aid, prevention, industry-specific resources, and OSHA standards.  It also includes the many factors that put workers at greater risk of heat-related illness.  These risks include environmental risks such as; high temperature and humidity, radiant heat sources, contact with hot objects, direct sun exposure (with no shade), and limited air movement (no breeze, wind or ventilation).  Risks are also caused by job-specific functions including physical exertion and use of bulky or non-breathable protective clothing and equipment.

Educating your workforce on preventative measures to avoid heat-related illnesses, as well as the signs and treatment of it, helps decrease the risks of serious illness.  Assigning training on this topic can be the first defense against heat exposure dangers. Mastery recently updated four courses to the VOD3 platform pertaining to heat-stress involving various work environments.  These courses depict real-life scenarios where heat exposures lead to hazardous conditions – with life and death consequences.  They demonstrate the importance of recognizing symptoms and responding properly to avoid serious injuries caused by heat-related illnesses.
Course titles include:

• Heat Stress: Real Accidents, Real Stories
• Heat Stress
• HAZPOWER: Heat Stress
• Heat Stress: Staying Healthy, Working Safely

These courses, available on our mobile-friendly VOD3 format, are compatible for any mobile device, operating system, and browser.  This mobility capability makes training more effective and efficient, allowing employees to take assigned training at their convenience while on the job (maybe when taking a break from the sun!).
Visit mastery.com for more information.