Occupational heat stress
[5] Worker injuries attributable to heat include those caused by: sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.
[6][7] Physiologic factors can also impact a worker's vulnerability, specifically if their job requires physical exertion, which produces metabolic heat.
[6][8] Workers can also be more vulnerable to heat illness if they are dehydrated from sweating and not drinking enough water or have a low level of physical fitness.
[citation needed] A study estimates that climate change is to blame for an additional 25 billion working hours lost annually in India from 2001 until 2020 compared to the previous 20 years.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), acclimatization is a biological process that an individual will go through to adjust to a stimulus following continued exposure.
[13] Physiologically, acclimatization to heat will allow a worker's body to more efficiently cool itself when exposed to high temperatures.
[13][14] (see below section on acclimatization schedules for specific processes).Workers in many occupations are at high risk for exposure to heat stress.
[17][2] In unusually hot conditions, all workers should be aware of their risk for heat illness and should ensure that they drink plenty of water and take breaks in cool places to avoid any severe impacts.
[1] The Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illness is intended to acquaint participants with OSHA's guidelines for heat-related injuries on the job.
[18] If workers continually exert themselves in hot environments, they may develop muscle cramps from sweating too much, which can be relieved by taking a break and drinking extra water and electrolytes.
When a person is experiencing heat exhaustion, they will be actively and heavily sweating, though their skin may feel cool and appear pale.
[20] Additionally, the person may exhibit a number of different symptoms such as headaches, muscle cramps, and fatigue, as well as nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases, fainting.
[21] NIOSH has set Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)-based Recommended Alert Limits (RALs) for unacclimatized workers and Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs) for acclimatized workers to use in determining, monitoring, and responding to the risk of heat exposure and related impacts.
[14] While different ranges of temperatures are used to determine what types of protective action should be implemented, there is no universal safe limit applied across all occupational settings.
[24] Additionally, some sources also report wet-bulb temperature, which is considered an informative measure for individuals who will be working in direct sunlight.
[26] OSHA recommends monitoring worker's heart rate, temperature, and body water loss throughout shifts in hot conditions.
[27] Employers can establish prevention programs, which focus on having protocols to gradually increases workloads and concede on allowing on more breaks for new hired workers.
[31] Ample breaks with space provided in shaded or cooled areas are important for preventing heat stress related illnesses.
"[6][34] The Mine Safety and Health Administration provides guidelines and recommendations to employers for preventing heat stress among workers.
[6] California Code of Regulations states that employers of high risk outdoor workers are entitled to protection against heat.
[6] Beginning in 1972, NIOSH published a recommended standard for hot work environments, and has periodically revised to take new scientific findings into account.
[36] The intent of the NIOSH Recommended Standard for Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments is to prevent injury, disease, death, and reduced productivity.
