Extreme heat is the deadliest weather phenomenon in the United States. And, it’s why summer heat safety is so important to the health and welfare of your team.
In fact, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‘s Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) has predicted that this year’s summer would be hotter than average for millions of Americans in the West, South and East. The CPC also predicted a 50% or higher chance of above-average temperatures for a large area, stretching from the Four Corners region through the Gulf Coast states, and along the East Coast from Florida through Maine.
That means that as summer heat approaches, it’s crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of your workers.
High temperatures can pose significant risks to employees, making the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) essential.
While steps like frequent breaks, proper hydration, and providing shade are basic actions you can use to help your team, physical equipment can go a long way towards comfort and safety, too.
Here, we’ll explore five important PPE items that can effectively protect your workers from the scorching summer heat.
Let’s break it down.
Related Article: OSHA Launches New Heat Safety Program
Related Article: How to Protect Your Team From Workplace Heat
1. Lightweight and Breathable Clothing
Investing in lightweight and breathable clothing is one of the most basic steps for protecting your workers from excessive heat exposure.
Opt for loose-fitting garments made from moisture-wicking materials, which allow air circulation and aid in sweat evaporation. These clothing items help regulate body temperature, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Additionally, consider incorporating high-visibility elements into the clothing, such as safety yellow, green, or orange colors, or even retro-reflective tape. This increases safety for those operating in construction or around vehicular traffic.
Providing workers with appropriate attire promotes comfort and prevents overheating during the summer months.
2. Wide-Brimmed Hats and Neck Coverings
Head and neck protection is another simple, yet important tool for shielding workers from direct sunlight and minimizing the risk of heatstroke.
Wide-brimmed hats offer shade, reducing the exposure of the face, neck, and ears to harmful UV rays.
Lightweight and breathable materials, such as straw or UV-resistant fabric, are ideal choices for hats. Additionally, neck coverings, such as bandanas or cooling towels, can be soaked in cold water and worn around the neck to provide relief from heat.
By incorporating these PPE items, employers ensure that workers’ sensitive areas remain safeguarded against excessive heat and sun exposure.
3. Protective Eyewear
Usually, when you think of protective eyewear, you think of safety glasses. But, when your workers are outside dealing with the summer heat and sunshine, protective eyewear takes on a different meaning.
That’s because even aside from heat, the summer sun can still cause damage. For instance, although bright sunshine can make for a cheery day, it can create intense glare and impact workers’ vision and eye health.
That means providing appropriate protective eyewear, such as sunglasses with UV protection, is essential.
These sunglasses not only shield workers’ eyes from harmful UV rays, but also reduce eye strain caused by bright sunlight.
Ensure that the eyewear fits well, has impact-resistant lenses, and is designed to provide adequate coverage. By prioritizing eye protection, you can help prevent eye damage and maintain your team’s vision in challenging summer conditions.
4. Cooling Vests & Accessories Improve Summer Heat Safety
Cooling vests and other accessories are innovative PPE options that can effectively enhance heat safety in workers. These are especially effective during periods of extreme heat, or when prolonged exposure can occur.
These garments are designed to absorb water and provide evaporative cooling, keeping the body temperature in check.
Cooling vests can be worn underneath work wear and are particularly beneficial for employees working in hot and humid environments. Additionally, cooling bandanas, neck wraps, or wristbands can provide localized cooling to reduce discomfort caused by excessive heat. By providing these cooling PPE items, you can enhance your team’s comfort, increase productivity, and mitigate the risks associated with heat-related illnesses.
5. Sunscreen and Skin Protection
Summer heat safety also means protecting skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
Provide your workers with sunscreen products with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) to shield their exposed skin from harmful UV rays. Emphasize the importance of regular application and reapplication throughout the workday, especially for workers in outdoor environments.
Additionally, encourage the use of wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to cover as much skin as possible. By promoting the use of sunscreen and other skin protection measures, you’ll help reduce the risk of sunburns, skin cancer, and other sun-related skin conditions among your workers.
Guidelines on Heat Protection
For further information on summer heat safety, check out some of these resources on OSHA guidelines and rules to help you keep your employees and worksite safe:
- Heat Stress Guide
- Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings
- Water. Rest. Shade
- National Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards
Key Takeaways
Protecting workers and improving summer heat safety is essential to ensure both their well-being and productivity.
By providing necessary PPE, such as lightweight and breathable clothing, wide-brimmed hats and neck coverings, protective eyewear, cooling vests, and sunscreen and skin protection, you can effectively safeguard their workforce from heat-related illnesses and sun damage.
Prioritizing the use of these PPE items not only promotes a safer work environment, but also demonstrates your care and commitment towards employee health and safety during the scorching summer season.
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About Worksite Medical
In most cases, OSHA requires medical surveillance testing, and at no cost to employees.
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We conduct on-site respirator fit tests, as well as audiometric exams, pulmonary function tests and heavy metal lab work, right on your job site. We also keep accurate, easy-to-access medical records for your convenience. You’ll keep your employees at work, and stay ahead of OSHA inspections.
