Seasonal safety: Summer

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Can you provide some guidelines for working in hot environments? How long should employees be allowe

Those working outdoors in the summer – or working indoors in hot environments such as bakeries, laundries and manufacturing plants – can be at risk of a number of heat-induced disorders.

What preventive measures can I take to avoid heat stress?

USFA: Grill fires present summertime risk

Working in the hot summer sun can cause more than just discomfort. Serious medical conditions such as dehydration, fainting and heat stroke can send many workers to the hospital – and can even prove fatal in some cases.

One serious risk of outdoor work is Lyme disease, which is spread when individuals are bitten by infected ticks. Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash.

In hot weather, wearing a harness can become uncomfortable. Are there ways a worker can alter his or her harness to become less restrictive and increase breathability? Are there other measures that can be taken to avoid heat stress?