Do your collectors work at various work sites? As summer ramps up and your staff head out to do drug screens in the field, it is important that you ensure their safety. Often, when we talk about safety, we think of hard hats, gloves, eyeglasses, etc. And often, we forget to think about the temperature of the location in which those collections are occurring.
Here are some tips to take good care of your staff who may be working in the summer heat:
- Hydration
- Provide cool water: Ensure workers have access to clean, cool drinking water at all times.
- Electrolytes: Consider providing electrolyte drinks (like sports drinks) for extended outdoor work.
- Hydration breaks: Encourage drinking water every 15–20 minutes, not just when they are thirsty.
- Heat-Aware Scheduling
- Work during cooler hours: Schedule strenuous tasks for early mornings or late afternoons.
- Rest breaks: Increase the frequency and length of rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- Rotate tasks: Limit exposure by rotating workers between hot and cooler tasks.
- Shade and Cooling Areas
- Provide shaded rest areas: Use tents, umbrellas, or natural shade.
- Cooling stations: Use fans, misters, or portable air conditioners where possible.
- Clothing and PPE
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics: Encourage loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Hats and cooling gear: Provide wide-brimmed hats, cooling towels, and neckbands.
- Adjust PPE: Ensure PPE is breathable and does not trap heat (e.g., vented hard hats, moisture-wicking clothing).
- Acclimatization
- Gradual exposure: Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and exposure over 1–2 weeks.
- Supervise closely: Monitor acclimatizing workers more carefully for signs of heat stress.
- Heat Illness Prevention Training
- Educate workers and supervisors about:
- Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- The importance of hydration and breaks
- How to respond in an emergency
- Educate workers and supervisors about:
- Monitoring Conditions
- Use the Heat Index or WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) to assess risk.
- Adjust work practices accordingly:
- Moderate risk: more breaks
- High risk: limit time in heat or increase cooling efforts
- Emergency Preparedness
• Have a heat illness emergency plan
• Train workers to recognize signs (confusion, dizziness, rapid pulse, fainting)
• Act fast: Move affected workers to a cooler area, give water, and seek medical help if symptoms are severe.
If you’re an employer or supervisor, OSHA provides a Heat Illness Prevention Campaign with free resources, checklists, and mobile tools.
