New OSHA resource: Heat exposure and personal risk factors

Washington — Certain personal risk factors increase workers’ risk for heat-related injury and illness, OSHA cautions.

“Although you may be exposed to similar levels of heat and engaged in the same type of work as your co-workers,” personal risk factors such as health conditions, medications, and physical and behavioral characteristics “may cause you to be at greater risk,” the agency says in a recently published document. 

Conditions or medications that can cause a worker to be less likely to sense heat conditions or retain water include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Mental health conditions
• Respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Blood pressure medications
• Muscle relaxants
• Sedatives

Additionally, some physical or behavioral characteristics may cause a worker to dehydrate more quickly. These include:

• Age (60 and older)
• Lower level of physical fitness
• Pregnancy 
• Acclimatization status
• Lower intake of water
• Alcohol use within 24 hours of shift
• Use of illicit drugs, such as opioids, methamphetamine and cocaine

“Ultimately,” OSHA says, “it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the workplace is safe and healthful for workers; however, a heat injury and illness prevention plan needs the meaningful participation of workers and their representatives to be effective.”

The agency has tips to help keep workers safe in the heat:

• Discuss with your medical provider how to best prepare to work in hot conditions.
• Drink 8 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty.
• Notify your supervisor if you feel ill and move to a cool space.
• Take rest breaks in air-conditioned spaces or cool or shaded areas.
• Check on co-workers regularly and, when necessary, report signs of heat illness to a supervisor and provide water or ice while remaining with them until help arrives.
• Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing comprised of breathable fabric, like cotton.
• Know your employer’s emergency response plan; when in doubt, call 911.
• Gradually acclimatize to the heat when returning to work after time away.