Help your employees avoid heat-related injuries

By Bob Carruth
Risk Control Manager

Given that a great amount of county employees work outside throughout the day as a normal part of the assigned job, certain precautions should be followed when performing work in the summer, especially during periods of extreme heat. Keeping an eye on the temperature should be foremost on the to-do list of any supervisor with employees working outside. Be aware of any heat or air quality advisories that are issued, and be prepared to take action as needed. Preventing injuries from the heat, and taking the proper measures when a heat-related injury does occur, will help to reduce the impact of the heat on your employees.

Avoidance: If you can adjust work schedules to help employees avoid working outside during the hottest parts of the day – normally the afternoon – do so.

Protection: For some jobs, such as those in public safety and waste management, avoiding outdoor work is not possible. These employees should be reminded to drink plenty of fluids, wear loose clothing that allows for greater air flow across the body, and to take plenty of rest breaks. Also, avoidance of alcoholic beverages after-hours can help to prevent further dehydration. Sports drinks, bananas or other potassium-rich foods can help to replace electrolytes lost due to sweating.

Treatment: Employees should also understand the various heat-related injuries that can occur and know when to seek further medical attention. This is especially true for situations in which dizziness, blurred vision or nausea occurs. These are signs of heat exhaustion, of which rest and consumption of fluids is the best treatment. If the person is not sweating and the skin is hot to the touch, this is the first sign of heat stroke, which should be considered a medical emergency. In this situation, call 911 immediately so that the proper care can be provided.

Heat is a normal part of the North Carolina summer, so most employees should already be ready and acclimated for it. By following the precautions above, you can further reduce the chances of a heat-related injury occurring to one of your employees.

For more information, contact Bob Carruth, Risk Control Manager for the Risk Management Pools, at (919) 719-1150 or bob.carruth@ncacc.org.