The summer heat comes with an extra need for employee protection as you face the additional challenge of protecting your employees from the elements’ harmful effects, especially in work environments where high temperatures or excessive heat exposure is expected. 

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can have severe consequences that could lead to organ damage and even death. This is why correctly understanding heat-related illnesses and implementing effective preventive measures is crucial in ensuring your employees are safe and healthy during the summer. 

There are a lot of strategies that can be implemented specifically for the summer months that can decrease the risk of heat-related illnesses. Here are some of them:

  • Education is key — One of the best ways of keeping your employees healthy during summer is by educating them on the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to heat. Employee protection begins with teaching them how to identify signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as headache, dizziness, and confusion. Implementing a buddy system would be helpful in quickly identifying signs of heat illness, and proper management may be done promptly.
  • Splurge on the cool stuff — A great way to protect your employees from the heat is to provide a lot of cold water close to the work area. OSHA suggests that employees must drink at least a pint of water every hour and that a shaded or air-conditioned designated rest area must be accessible to employees at all times. 
  • Focus on the essentials — Employee protection could be observed even when PPEs are required in the workplace. Consider alternatives that can provide protection without excessive heat retention, such as lightweight and breathable fabrics. Alternatively, a modified shifting schedule can be implemented to decrease the exposure to heat and give ample time for breaks.

Protecting employees is a crucial part of the duties of an employer. It could be challenging during summer, but with the correct information and mindset, it could be as easy as A-B-C. If you have more questions about preventing heat-related illnesses in the workplace, visit us at KC Supply Co today.