Heat Hazard Safety

Elite Workers staying hydrated and finding shade while working on hot summer days. Employees from left to right: Joe Hayes, Scotty Blackburn, Travis Ramey, Josh Treveer.

Elite Workers staying hydrated and finding shade while working on hot summer days. Employees from left to right: Joe Hayes, Scotty Blackburn, Travis Ramey, Josh Treveer.

It may seem as though we just left the winter season, but in just a few short days we will be celebrating the 4th of July, a day when we remember the founding of our Country.  As with most 4th of July celebrations in Virginia we expect this day to be not only hot, but also very humid.  Looking ahead at the forecast for this weekend it appears this year will be no exception.  Which is why as we enter this holiday weekend it is a good idea to discuss two particular hazards we will all face when heading outdoors; heat stress and sunburns/skin care.

Of course when we venture outdoors into the heat, whether it is for fun or for work we must all be aware of heat stress related injuries.  Heat stress occurs when our bodies are no longer able to dissipate the heat that we have either generated and/or absorb from other sources.  In order to ensure we don’t become victims of heat related injures we must take certain precautions.  For the majority of us this means staying properly hydrated.  When we allow ourselves to become dehydrated as a result of our failure to consume enough water we inhibit our body’s natural cooling process i.e. sweating.  One of the easiest ways to prevent dehydration is to drink a couple large glasses of water first thing in the morning and remember to continue to drink water throughout the day.

Another important factor in preventing heat related injures is our environment.  Although we may not be able to control the temperature outside there are some factors we can control.  For instance we can setup tents to provide shade either while on the beach or on a project location.  We can also setup fans to aid our bodies in dissipating heat, while also locating heat generating equipment such as vehicles, generators and other equipment away from ourselves.  By following the aforementioned precautions we can help eliminate heat stress related injuries whether we are at work or play.

Along with heat stress another hazard that increases for us during the summer is sunburns. While the sun’s rays make us feel good, and in the short term, make us look good, our love affair isn’t a two-way street.  Exposure to sun not only ages our skin, but also increases our risk of skin cancer.  Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. When these fibers break down, the skin begins to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to go back into place after stretching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily, taking longer to heal.  So while sun damage to the skin may not be apparent when you’re young, it will definitely show later in life.

This is why is in important to remember to apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater. 30 minutes before sun exposure and every 2 hours thereafter, more if you are sweating or swimming.  That we also select clothing light colored clothing and wear sunglasses that offer UV protection and possible wear a full brim hat to aid in shading our face and neck.  As with any hazard increased exposure increased our risk of trouble down the line.

So while we might face hazards from the summer sun and hotter temperatures, we can still remain healthy and safe by simply understanding these hazards and taking very basic safety precautions.  We hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July!