Heat Stress and Working from Heights: A Potentially Deadly Combination

During the summer months workers often face a dual challenge: working at heights and coping with high temperatures. While tasks performed at heights already pose inherent risks, the added factor of heat, along with the potential for heat stress, further complicates matters and increases the overall risk involved. 

Here at Dentec Safety, we strive to ensure that employers and their workers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to stay safe in these demanding conditions. In this blog post, we will delve into the risks associated with heat and working from heights, as well as discuss practical measures that can be taken to mitigate these risks effectively.

Heat Stress Hazards

Working in high temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke. When combined with physical exertion, inadequate hydration, and other safety hazards such as falling from heights, the risk of these conditions becomes even greater.

Heat Stress Symptoms

It is crucial for employers and workers to recognize the symptoms of heat stress. These symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and confusion. If any of these symptoms are experienced while working at heights or performing any other task, workers should immediately seek shade, rest, and rehydrate.

Control Measures for Heat Stress

To combat heat stress, our safety specialists here at Dentec advise implementing the following control measures:

1. Establish a Proper Hydration Program: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day in combination with an electrolyte replacement drink. Water alone does not replenish the essential mineral nutrients and electrolytes that the body needs to properly function.
2. Wear Protective Clothing: Choose lightweight and breathable clothing that allows heat to escape and air to circulate. Additionally, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat or using a cooling bandana to provide protection from the sun.
3. Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF rating to exposed skin, ensuring comprehensive protection from harmful UV rays. Reapply sunscreen as directed to maintain adequate protection throughout the day.
4. Take Rest Breaks: Take regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to allow your body to cool down. Avoid overexertion, especially during the hottest parts of the day. All provincial regulations recommend following the work/rest ratio guidelines provided by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACHIG).

Working From Heights

Working at heights poses unique risks that require special precautions. Falls from heights are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities in many industries. These risks are only made greater when compounded by exposure to high temperatures. Heat stress symptoms can impair performance and increase the likelihood of a fall.

Full Brim Hard Hats for Summer Work at Heights

When working outdoors at heights during the summer months, selecting the right head protection can help reduce heat-related risks while improving overall comfort and safety.

Benefits of Full Brim Hard Hats

Full brim hard hats provide additional shade around the entire head, helping protect workers from direct sunlight, UV exposure, and glare. This added coverage can help reduce heat buildup, improve visibility, and enhance comfort during extended periods of outdoor work.

For workers performing roofing, construction, utility, telecommunications, oil and gas, and infrastructure work, full brim hard hats can offer several advantages:

• Increased sun protection for the face, ears, and neck
• Reduced glare and improved visibility
• Greater comfort during prolonged outdoor exposure
• Enhanced protection from rain and falling debris
• Improved worker compliance due to increased comfort

When selecting a hard hat for work at heights, employers should ensure it meets all applicable CSA and workplace requirements and is compatible with any required fall protection equipment, chin straps, hearing protection, or face protection.

Combining proper head protection with hydration, rest breaks, sunscreen, and fall protection equipment helps create a safer work environment during hot summer conditions.

Working from Heights Safety Measures

To mitigate the risks associated with working at heights, our safety specialists at Dentec recommend implementing the following safety measures:

1. Working from Heights Training: Ensure that all workers receive comprehensive training on working at heights. This training should include understanding fall hazards, proper use of safety equipment, and emergency procedures.  
   
2. Use Fall Protection Equipment: Use appropriate fall protection equipment including harnesses, lanyards, and anchors. This equipment should be regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure its effectiveness.
   
3. Install Guardrails and Toe Boards: Install guardrails and toe boards around elevated work areas to prevent falls. Toe boards help to prevent dropped objects, protecting those underneath. When tools are being used at heights, workers should consider using tool tethers to minimize the risk of tools falling and causing serious injury or damaging equipment below. These barriers and precautions provide an additional layer of protection for workers.
   
4.  Ensure Safe Access and Egress: Ensure that workers have safe and secure means of access and egress when working at heights. This may include providing well-maintained ladders, scaffolding, or aerial lifts. It is important to regularly inspect and maintain access equipment to ensure their stability and reliability.
   
5. Conduct a Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment before starting any work at heights. Identify potential hazards and develop a plan to effectively mitigate them. By analyzing the risks involved, you can proactively address potential dangers and implement appropriate safety measures.
   

Stay Cool, Safe, and Productive This Summer

As the summer heat intensifies and workers tackle tasks at heights, it is essential to prioritize safety. Here at Dentec Safety, we emphasize the importance of recognizing the risks associated with heat and working from heights, as well as taking proactive steps to mitigate those risks. By implementing the recommended safety and control measures, workers can protect themselves and their colleagues from potential harm. Remember, a well-informed and prepared workforce is a safer workforce. Stay cool, stay safe, and enjoy a productive summer season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the first signs of heat stress?

Early signs of heat stress may include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Workers experiencing these symptoms should immediately move to a cooler area, rest, and rehydrate.

Why is working at heights more dangerous in hot weather?

Heat stress can impair judgment, coordination, reaction time, and balance. These effects increase the likelihood of mistakes, slips, trips, and falls when working at heights.

How often should workers hydrate during hot weather?

Workers should drink water regularly throughout their shift and supplement with electrolyte replacement beverages when working in high temperatures, performing strenuous tasks, or sweating heavily. Waiting until you feel thirsty may indicate that dehydration has already begun.

What type of hard hat is best for summer outdoor work?

For many outdoor applications, full brim hard hats can provide additional protection from sun exposure by shading the face, ears, and neck. The best hard hat is one that meets CSA requirements and is appropriate for the specific hazards of the job site.

How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

Fall protection equipment should be inspected before each use by the worker and regularly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and workplace procedures. Any damaged or defective equipment should be removed from service immediately.

What should be included in a working-at-heights safety program?

A comprehensive working-at-heights safety program should include hazard assessments, worker training, fall protection systems, equipment inspections, rescue planning, safe access procedures, and regular supervision to ensure compliance.

Can heat stress be prevented?

Yes. Most heat-related illnesses can be prevented through proper hydration, scheduled rest breaks, acclimatization, shade or cooling areas, lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and worker education on recognizing heat stress symptoms.

What industries are most at risk for heat stress and falls from heights?

Industries commonly exposed to both hazards include construction, roofing, utilities, telecommunications, oil and gas, manufacturing, warehousing, mining, transportation, and maintenance operations.

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Dentec Safety is a leading manufacturer and distributor of safety products in the North America since 2004. Dentec Safety is dedicated to providing the highest quality safety products and solutions delivering enhanced value and comfort. Our expertise from decades of experience in Industrial Safety and our innovative design technologies have solidified us as thought leaders in the field. Protection and comfort are at the core of everything we do at Dentec. As a leading manufacturer of Safety Solutions, it is our mission to help organizations do the right thing, keep their employees safe and exceed Industry Health & Safety Standard.