Cities Urged to be Aware of Heat Hazards

Kentucky is in the midst of a heat wave, with dangerous temperatures. The KLC Loss Control Department encourages all members to monitor employees working outdoors.

The U.S. Department of Labor recommends that all employers establish a heat illness prevention plan and that supervisors monitor employees throughout the workday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a chart to identify the symptoms of heat-related health concerns, from heat rash and sunburn to heat stroke. You can download a copy here.

If you suspect a person may be succumbing to the heat, the U.S. Department of Labor suggests you take the following steps:

• ​Take the affected person to a cooler place, such as a building with air conditioning or a shaded area; 
• Use active cooling techniques such as immersing the person in cold water or an ice bath; 
• Remove outer layers of clothing, especially heavy protective clothing; 
• Place ice or cold, wet towels on the head, neck, trunk, armpits, and groin;
• Use fans to circulate air around the person; 
• Stay with the affected person at all times; and 
• When in doubt, call 911.

Heat illness can strike anyone, even those who work indoors.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a free mobile app for Android and iPhone users that provides real-time heat index information and hourly location-specific forecasts, as well as occupational safety guidance and health recommendations. You can find the OSHA NIOSH Heat Safety Tool on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

OSHA also has a heat illness informational work poster you can download here.

A KLC Loss Control Hazard Alert on heat exposure can also be downloaded here.