Protect Yourself and Your Employees This Summer

The sun and warm weather of summer can bring special hazards for those working outdoors. To help employers and workers stay safe throughout the summer months, OSHA offers tips that can help prevent many heat-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries.
Simple precautions can often save lives. The two most serious forms of heat related illnesses are heat exhaustion (primarily from dehydration) and heat stroke, which could be fatal. Signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke need immediate attention. Recognizing those warning signs and taking quick action can make a difference in preventing a fatality.

Missoula Job Service

Heat Exhaustion

What are the symptoms?

HEADACHES; DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS;
WEAKNESS; MOOD CHANGES SUCH AS IRRITABILITY,
CONFUSION, OR THE INABILITY TO THINK STRAIGHT;
UPSET STOMACH; VOMITING; DECREASED OR DARKCOLORED
URINE; FAINTING OR PASSING OUT; AND
PALE, CLAMMY SKIN

What should you do?

Act immediately. If not treated, heat exhaustion may advance to heat stroke or death.
Move the victim to a cool, shaded area to rest. Don’t leave the person alone. If symptoms include dizziness or lightheadedness, lay the victim on his or her back and raise the legs 6 to 8 inches. If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim on his or her side.
Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.
Have the person drink cool water (about a cup every 15 minutes) unless sick to the stomach.
Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or applying a wet cloth to the person’s skin.
Call 911 for emergency help if the person does not feel better in a few minutes.

Heat Stroke–A Medical Emergency

What are the symptoms?

DRY, PALE SKIN WITH NO SWEATING; HOT, RED SKIN
THAT LOOKS SUNBURNED; MOOD CHANGES SUCH
AS IRRITABILITY, CONFUSION, OR THE INABILITY TO
THINK STRAIGHT; SEIZURES OR FITS; AND
UNCONCIOUSNESS WITH NO RESPONSE

What should you do?

Call 911 for emergency help immediately.
Move the victim to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the person alone. Lay the victim on his or her back. Move any nearby objects away from the person if symptoms include seizures or fits. If symptoms include nausea or upset stomach, lay the victim on his or her side.
Loosen and remove any heavy clothing.
Have the person drink cool water (about a cup every 15 minutes) if alert enough to drink something, unless sick to the stomach.
Cool the person’s body by fanning and spraying with a cool mist of water or wiping the victim with a wet cloth or covering him or her with a wet sheet.
Place ice packs under the armpits and groin area.

How can you protect yourself and your coworkers?
Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-induced illnesses and how to respond.
Train your workforce about heat-induced illnesses.
Perform the heaviest work during the coolest part of the day.
Build up tolerance to the heat and the work activity slowly. This usually takes about 2 weeks.
Use the buddy system, with people working in pairs.
Drink plenty of cool water, about a cup every 15 to 20 minutes.
Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing, such as cotton.
Take frequent, short breaks in cool, shaded areas to allow the body to cool down.
Avoid eating large meals before working in hot environments.
Avoid alcohol or beverages with caffeine. These make the body lose water and increase the risk for heat illnesses.

What factors put you at increased risk?
Taking certain medications. Check with your health-care provider or pharmacist to see if any medicines you are taking affect you when working in hot environments.
Having a previous heat-induced illness.
Wearing personal protective equipment such as a respirator or protective suit.

Missoula County Labor Market

According to 2001 census estimates, Missoula county’s population is 96,303.
The current labor force for Missoula County is 57,244 according to the June 2003 Research & Analysis Bureau – Statistics in Brief.

Missoula Job Service Fast Facts

A total of 8075 individuals used the Missoula Job Service Workforce Center services during the month of July.
Almost 300 individuals found work after registering with the Missoula Job Service. 102 were placed directly in employment and 190 obtained employment after utilizing our testing services, resume assistance or interviewing assistance.
In July employers posted over 175 job openings with the Missoula Job Service.
During the month of July 2003, Business Consultants at Missoula Job Service served 58 businesses by providing employment law posters, answering questions on wage and hour and employment issues, assisting with determining fair wage rates, and researching difficult questions faced by employers.
Provided compliments of Missoula Job Service Workforce Center

Missoula Job Service

Workforce Center

539 South 3rd West

Missoula, MT 59802

Phone:
(406) 728-7060

Fax:
(406) 721-7094

E-mail:
mailto:[email protected]

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