High temperatures and heat indexes are a growing concern each year. Your employees may be used to working in warm weather conditions, but are you and your workforce prepared for the dangerous effects of heat stress as annual temperatures continue to rise?
Consider the Heat Index and Temperature
The heat index combines air temperature and humidity to determine how hot it feels outside¹:
- 80-90°F: Caution needed for prolonged moderate work outdoors.
- 91-103°F: Use extreme caution, reduce outdoor work, take extra breaks, and monitor workers closely.
- 103-124°F: Danger for prolonged exposure. Halt outdoor work (except emergencies) to prevent heat illness.
- 126°F or higher: Extreme danger, avoid outdoor work. High humidity above 60% affects sweat evaporation, impacting the body’s cooling ability.
Safety Measures for Air Conditioning Businesses Working in High Temperatures
Federated® encourages HVACR businessowners to take action by monitoring daily heat index readings and adjusting work schedules and demands accordingly to prevent heat illness. Risk management tactics may help, including¹:
- Additional Workers: Bringing on extra workers for labor-intensive projects to allow for more frequent breaks.
- Preventative Measures: Offering water, sunscreen, regular rest breaks out of the sun, and adjusted schedules to minimize heat-related risks.
- Acclimatization: Allowing new and returning workers to gradually increase exposure time for working in the heat.
- Appropriate Attire: Providing lightweight, breathable clothing or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for comfort and safety.
- Adjusting Workloads: Considering rescheduling highly labor-intensive tasks to cooler parts of the day if possible.
- Heat Illness Recognition: Educating workers on symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, excessive sweating, elevated body temperature, and red/hot/dry skin.
- Medical Attention: Encouraging workers experiencing symptoms to stop work and seek medical help immediately.
Reach out to your local Federated marketing representative to learn more about working in heat and other risk management topics.
Federated Insurance is an ACCA Platinum Corporate Partner. For more information about our Corporate Partner program, visit here or email ACCA’s Strategic Partnerships Manager Kenzi Vizzari at kenzi.vizzari@acca.org.
- https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA4185.pdf. OSHA. Exposure to Outdoor and Heat-Related Hazards. Accessed 3/27/24.
This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate any or all risk of loss. This is not provided as a substitute for any OSHA or other regulatory standards that may apply. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for any laws of regulations that may apply. This information is accurate as of its publication date and is subject to change. Some of the services referenced herein may be provided by third parties wholly independent of Federated. Federated provides access to these services with the understanding that neither Federated not its employees provide legal or expert advice. All products and services not available in all states. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances and applicable laws.
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