In previous Blogs, we told you that the Occupation, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a specific standard that covers working in hot environments. OSHA does state that employers have a duty to protect workers from recognized serious hazards in the workplace, including heat-stress hazards. (What Causes Heat Stress to Occur in the Workplace) Even without standards, we all know most companies view safety as an important investment into their employees and business.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics most on the job heat-stress related injuries and illnesses happen in the summer months of June through September. These are the hot, high-humidity months when heat-stress relief products are vital.

Heat Stress Injuries and the Workplace

Jeff King, Category Manager for Safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at BlackHawk Industrial has over 20 years in the industry. He’s worked with many large and small companies helping to ensure that companies have the safety products and information needed for the job. Jeff told us that when it comes to supplying protective gear, employers must be aware of the array of important options available to them. While many options take some time to adopt, others are low cost and easy to implement.

The number one OSHA heat-stress protection recommendation is to provide adequate drinking water and actively encourage workers to hydrate throughout the day.  OSHA indicates that by offering drinks with some flavoring, employers can increase the odds that employees will hydrate more frequently. Sqwincher, a beverage, called the “Drink of Industry”, can be used as powder mixed with water, frozen pops or ready to drink. It’s convenient to use and hydrates while replenishing electrolytes.

Tools and Equipment to Beat the Heat

Other simple to implement heat-stress safety measures that help to avoid both heat-stress illnesses and injuries include adding cooling towels, vests, bandanas and hard hat liners to employees’ hot weather gear. Products include:

• Cooling towels - A reusable towel with natural evaporation that provides a cooling sensation and delivers comfort in warm environments

• Cooling bandanas – This reusable bandana comes in several colors and prints. It ties around the head or the neck providing hours of heat stress relief.

• Evaporative cooling vests – Light weight, easy to activate and durable, this vest cools the body 15 to 20 deg from the ambient temperature. It comes in a variety of sizes.

• Hard hat liners – Fits under hard hats. Its polyester and cotton blend fabric with cooling crystals deliver effective cooling for hours.

Safety on the job is a combined effort between employers and employees and BlackHawk Industrial is committed to working with our customers to help keep workers safe. Our trained professionals are happy to help you with any of your questions.

We welcome you to contact us here:  https://www.bhid.com/ContactUs or call us TOLL FREE at (855) 610-1001.