Preventing heat stress

Although OSHA currently has no regulations regarding heat exposure, common sense, along with concern for worker safety, dictates the need to take steps to minimize the risk of heat stress. Obviously, the best way to deal with heat stress is to prevent it from occurring. To some extent, this is accom...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant engineering 1997-09, Vol.51 (10), p.131-132
Main Author: Tallos, Nick
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Cooling
Employees
Guidelines
Heat
Occupational safety
Personal protective equipment
Prevention
Safety training
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Summary:Although OSHA currently has no regulations regarding heat exposure, common sense, along with concern for worker safety, dictates the need to take steps to minimize the risk of heat stress. Obviously, the best way to deal with heat stress is to prevent it from occurring. To some extent, this is accomplished by making changes in the work environment by employing exhaust ventilation or cooling fans at points of high heat production, eliminating unnecessary heat sources such as steam leaks, and providing shields for sources of radiant heat. But there are also behavioral practices that help minimize the potential for heat stress. A good place to start the effort is with adequate worker training. The right personal protective equipment helps increase worker endurance in hot environments, allowing the employee to stay on the job for longer periods of time, and increasing overall comfort and safety.
ISSN:0032-082X
1558-2957