Preventing Heat Stress

Employers must be aware of the dangers of wearing protective clothing or equipment. One major danger is heat stress.

Heat stress stems from one of the following factors (or a combination of them):

• Environmental conditions
• The type of protective clothing worn
• Work activities
• Work rate
• Individual employee characteristics (for example, age, weight, and fitness level)

To protect workers from heat stress, employers should do the following:

• Try to choose lighter, less insulating protective clothing over heavier clothing when possible.
• Talk with all workers about the potential for heat stress, its signs, and its symptoms.
• Use the appropriate work and rest regimens.
• Provide heat stress monitoring (including measuring employee heart rates, body temperatures, and weight loss).
• Keep employees hydrated by providing a source of water or an electrolyte drink in a non-contaminated eating and drinking area.
• Making liquids accessible by locating this non-contaminated eating and drinking area close to the work area (so workers can drink often throughout the day). Please note that If their airborne exposure is above the PEL, remember that workers must wash their hands and face before drinking fluids.

To learn more about Construction Lead Safety visit our Construction Lead Safety Online Training Certification web page.