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OSHA Safety Tips for Outdoor Workers in Extreme Heat

Outdoor workers are subjected to environmental extremes that change with the seasons and unusual weather patterns that can occur in nature. Extreme heat during summer months can be exacerbated by prolonged periods of intense dryness and elevated temperatures. Workplace regulatory agencies such as OSHA have provided safety tips for outside workers in extreme heat.

  1. Clothing

    • OSHA recommends that workers wear light colored clothing that is made out of lightweight, breathable materials when working in high heat conditions. Lighter colored clothing tends to reflect the light energy of the sun rather than absorbing it, which helps to reduce the overall temperature of the person wearing it. The lighter weight breathable material allows more air to circulate through the material, also helping to keep the wearer's body temperature lower.

    Acclimatize

    • Another recommendation by OSHA for improving a worker's ability to tolerate extreme heat is for workers to be gradually introduced to working in a hot environment. By allowing workers to perform in hot environments for short periods and then slowly increasing the length of their exposures, workers can improve their tolerance to working in hot conditions.

    Scheduling

    • OSHA recommends that the heaviest work be performed during the coolest parts of the day. The early morning and later afternoon or evening hours are the preferred times for performing heavy work as these parts of the day tend to have cooler temperatures.

    Rehydrating

    • Workers should drink plenty of water at regular intervals in order to maintain their body's fluid levels. OSHA recommends small amounts of cool fluids be drunk at 20 minute intervals. Fluids containing alcohol and caffeine should be avoided as they can increase the rate at which the body loses fluids.

    Wetted Clothing

    • Wetting clothing with water can help to reduce body temperature in extremely hot environments. It is more effective when done with impermeable clothing that does not allow good air circulation. Wetting clothing increases the rate of heat transfer from the body to the surrounding air, reducing the amount of heat retained by the body.

    Breaks

    • Workers in high heat conditions should take frequent rest breaks, preferably in cooler locations such as in a shaded or air conditioned area or room. Workers should alternate work and rest periods with other workers to maintain productivity and yet still observe the necessary amount of cooling down time.

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