I’ve noticed salt lines on my black tee-shirt at the end of the day after helping clients with forklift observations many days lately. Most manufacturing companies have warehousing and shipping employees working in areas that are not air-conditioned. Some companies also perform production operations areas with no AC. Fortunately, we (in printing) are blessed to not have to deal with working in the sun much.

The US has 30-60 work-related heat illness deaths each year. Of course, there are way more cases of heat illness on-the-job where no-one dies happening as well.

It’s critical that each member with workers in warehouses near or above outside temperatures take action to prevent heat illnesses. I’ve listed some common and effective best practices below to get you started:

• Have a specific person in each building (with no AC) assigned to monitor the effective temperature. (Effective temperature cannot be measured by a thermometer. It is a combination of factors such as air movement, humidity, and temperature that make up the thermal sensations one experiences.) Have this individual communicate risk levels to supervisors/employees and empower them to take appropriate actions as conditions warrant them. If you have open docks and your building doesn’t super-heat, you can download and use the NIOSH Heat Index app to monitor conditions.

• Supply endless cold water for workers. You might consider an ice machine, refrigerated cooling station, or construction cooler with a spicket. On days where the effective temperature is above 95 F, also supply an electrolyte drink. (Be sure to educate people to always drink a water before having more sports drink.)

• Ensure there are adequate fans where people spend most of their time. You might even consider putting a magnet-mounted fan on forklifts.

• Adjust work planning to fit the situation. Try to do the most physically demanding work in the cooler part of the mornings when possible.

• Adjust breaks to fit the situation. Make sure there is an air-conditioned area where workers are welcome to rest during breaks. Consider declaring extra quick breaks in very hot afternoons when there is a lot of very physical work happening or temperature/humidity are very stressful.

• Some companies might offer or encourage evaporative cooling neck gators or towels to workers.

• Assign people working together to be “Heat Buddies” where they check on each other to ensure they feel OK and that they are drinking liquids throughout the shift.

• Enact a “Heat Acclimation” process where new and returning employees are questioned about their current state of heat acclimatization. If deemed appropriate, a worker may be partially limited in strenuous work time allowed or may be assigned a maximum stretch of hours allowed without a break. These restrictions can be reduced every couple of days during their first two or three weeks.

• Train workers on risk factors for heat stress, preventing heat stress, how to recognize and respond to heat illnesses. (Check out our previous blog on heat related illnesses.)

OSHA started a National Emphasis Program this year where they will be conducting targeted audits in industries that have higher likelihood of heat stresses. The list of targeted industries includes paper distribution companies and chemical industries (such as ink companies or rubber roller manufacturers), but printing companies were not on the list. However, when OSHA is at a printing company, they will likely investigate the process the company has in place to protect employees from heat illness through the summer.

Keep Hydrating My Friend,

Joe Eudy

President

Author: Joe Eudy, Impact Safety

Joe Eudy is one of PIA MidAmerica’s Safety Experts. His company, Impact Safety, has been serving manufacturers in Texas since 2005. Joe has previously worked for PIA MidAmerica, printing & packaging companies and a paper mill. His goal is to help clients build and maintain pro-active safety programs that employees are proud to participate in. The COVID era encouraged Joe to build on-line training options for clients, and soon these will be offered nationally. For more information on our services go to www.safeimpact.com or message Joe at joe@safeimpact.com.