There are many safety factors to consider in the precast concrete industry, but one that can be overlooked is heat stress, a condition that affects indoor and outdoor employees.
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 a heat-related illness.
Every year, thousands of workers become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some even die. These illnesses and deaths are preventable.
OSHA’s Heat Index can be used to help determine the risk of heat-related illness for workers, as well as appropriate steps that need to be taken to protect them. Table courtesy of OSHA.
With summer fast approaching, the North Carolina Department of Labor is offering a free, 90-minute webinar on the hazards of heat stress in construction and general industry. Topics that will be covered include key definitions, causal factors, heat disorders, health effects, prevention, control, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, administrative controls, acclimatization, re-acclimating, work monitoring and training.
At the end of the webinar, attendees will have a basic understanding of methods to prevent or minimize exposure to excessive heat to prevent heat stress. In addition, attendees will be able to recognize symptoms of heat stress and learn tips regarding how to treat heat stress victims. Register for the webinar – which will be held June 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Eastern – on the NCDOL website.
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