Preventing Workplace Heat Stress
Heat stress affects hundreds of Canadian workers every year. According to the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Canada), an estimated 220 workers in Canada and the United States die each year because of occupational heat stress.
Heat-related illnesses impact every worker, regardless of age or fitness level. Whether indoors or outdoors, hot, and humid conditions can pose a risk. Environmental elements such as air temperature, humidity, air circulation, and radiant heat sources can contribute to heat stress. Work-related factors, including task frequency, physical demands, clothing choices, and break durations, play a significant role in affecting heat stress (CCOHS, 2023).
With summer on its way, it's time to revisit and explore new methods of how to stay cool at work. This blog outlines three simple steps: Water, Rest & Shade to help keep workers safe and prevent them from getting heat stress at work (OHCOW, 2021).
Stay informed and protect yourself from the dangers of heat stress by downloading our Heat Stress Infographic here!
It is recommended by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, that a worker should drink about 1L of water each hour to replace the fluid loss. Cool drinking water between 10-15 degrees should be available on the job site and workers should be encouraged to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if they do not feel thirsty.
Not drinking enough water can cause symptoms of heat-related illnesses like heat rash, cramps, fatigue, and stroke, which can be dangerous if left untreated. Therefore, it's important to regularly drink water and pay attention to signs of dehydration, such as dark-coloured urine, to prevent heat stress (CCOHS, 2024).
Chill-Its BPA-Free Water Bottle:
The Chill-Its water bottle is your go-to companion for hydration. Durable, and leakproof. Features name ID to avoid mix-ups.
Thersty:
Naturally, we lose water and salt when we sweat. This loss should be replenished by increasing fluid intake. Thersty is a hydration solution that can keep your team hydrated and performing at their best.
Electrolyte Freeze Pops:
Keep cool with Electrolyte Freeze Pops by simply freezing them just like regular ice pops. Once frozen, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw a little before serving. Once you place the electrolyte-rich solution on your mouth it will begin to melt, providing a refreshing and hydrating experience.
Chill-Its Industrial Hard Sided Cooler:
For your drinks to last longer while on the job, get your hands on the Chill-Its Industrial Hard-Sided Cooler. This durable cooler is designed to keep your drinks cold for up to 30 hours.
To promote rest breaks, particularly in challenging weather conditions, consider providing heavy or lightweight pop-up tents. These tents offer protection from external elements, easy setup and breakdown, durability, customization options, and versatility. The choice between heavy or lightweight tents depends on the specific job site requirements. Their quick assembly facilitates a seamless transition between work and rest periods, and their durability ensures reliable shelter.
Having proper ventilation and windows in the rest area can significantly improve the comfort level of workers. Pop-up tents are versatile and can be adapted to different work environments, making them an ideal investment for companies that prioritize the well-being of their employees (Livin Spaces, 2020). By providing a healthier and more productive workplace environment, businesses can show their commitment towards the well-being of their workers. Explore a few of the pop-up tents we have available below:
SHAX Heavy-Duty Pop-Up Tent
The SHAX Heavy-Duty Pop-Up Tent is an exceptional solution for protecting workers from heat stress, providing fast and durable relief from sun exposure in challenging outdoor conditions. With a 10ft x 10ft (3m x 3m) footprint, this instant shelter offers 100 square feet of shaded area, making it an ideal choice for job sites, events, and recreational activities.
However, having proper clothing that provides shade helps prevent heat stress by facilitating the body's natural cooling mechanisms (PIP Canada, 2023). Direct exposure to sunlight can lead to an imbalance between internal heat production and the body's ability to release it, accentuating the risk of heat-related complications (CCOHS, 2023).
A variety of shade and clothing solutions have been provided below to protect you against the sun's harmful rays. These include to following:
GloWear Hi-Vis Hard Hat Neck Shade
This Neck Shade is a must-have accessory for individuals working in sun-exposed environments. This innovative neck shade seamlessly straps into hard hats, providing comprehensive back-of-neck protection against sun damage.
Chill-Its Universal Hard Hat Brim with Neck Shade
The Universal Hard Hat Brim with Neck Shade proves to be an invaluable solution for individuals working in sun-exposed environments. This product not only delivers effective sun protection but also prioritizes the safety of workers by shielding them from the sun's harmful rays.
PIP Bisley Women's X-Back Short Sleeve Shirt
The Women's X-Back Short Sleeve Shirt by Bisley is a versatile and effective product that can help prevent heat stress in the workplace. Its combination of performance-wicking fabric, cotton backing, reflective tape, and antimicrobial treatment ensures a comfortable, cool, and hygienic work environment for women.
PIP Bisley X-Airflow Workwear
This X-Back Women’s Long-Sleeve Shirt by Bisley is the leading heat-dispersing work apparel, outperforming all other vented shirts on the market in terms of heat resistance. One of the standout features of this long-sleeve shirt is the incorporation of X-Airflow™ technology.
Tyvek ® 400D Garment
The Dupont Tyvek 400D garment is an innovative design that allows heat to escape. Tyvek 400D fabric front provides an inherent barrier to fine particles and light liquid splash. The ProShield 10 fabric back helps increase breathability and reduce heat stress.
Hard Hats
The new V-Gard C1™ Hard Hat from MSA helps alleviate heat stress for workers in sunny conditions with ReflectIR™ Thermal Barrier technology that keeps the hard hat interior up to 20°F (11°C) cooler.
The Dynamic™ Sweat Band
Made with Terry Cloth Fabric that is soft and helps to absorb sweat at the forehead. It features a hook and loop closure that allows it to attach to hard hat suspensions securely.
Overall, heat stress is a significant concern for workers, especially during the summer months. To prevent heat stress, it is crucial to prioritize water intake, implement effective work/rest cycles, and provide shade. By incorporating these measures into the workplace, employers can create a safer and more comfortable environment for their employees. Additionally, investing in pop-up tents and other shade-providing structures can demonstrate a commitment to worker well-being and contribute to a more productive workplace environment.
Ready to build your own heat stress prevention plan?
Contact us today to learn more about our heat stress prevention solutions and how we can help keep your team cool, safe, and productive.