ANSI/ASSP released the new, voluntary standard A10.50-2024 on Feb 26 of this year which outlines the key elements for Heat Stress Protection in Construction and Demolition. The purpose of this standard is to reduce the risk to workers to heat stress due to heat exposures in construction and demolition operations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 400 workers have died of heat exposure since 2011. It establishes the minimum requirements for preventing heat illnesses and the management of heat stress hazards.
KEY ELEMENTS
Hazard assessment to assess workers exposure to heat stress
Identification of on-site engineered and administrative controls
Designated shade areas for breaks
Scheduled mandatory rest breaks
Identification of proper cooling PPE to reduce risks
Requirements to provide portable water and electrolytes to employees
Methods to acclimatize new and returning workers to heat stress environment
Identification of employee participation and responsibilities
Methods to monitor workers heat strain, preferably through a buddy system approach
Heat stress training on policies and procedures related to heat illness prevention
Development of an emergency action plan for heat-related emergencies
While this standard sets best practices, it remains voluntary. It’s important to note that OSHA’s Heat Stress NEP does legally require employers to develop and implement heat illness prevention programs. With the release of this standard, ANSI has provided an expert developed standard for employers to follow and ensure OSHA compliance.
Ah, summertime! While we all may be enjoying some outdoor fun in the sun, it’s important to remember that for many industrial and construction workers, the heat brings danger. Whether it’s around heat-generating machinery, under the scorching sun, or in stuffy areas with no ventilation; heat stress is a dangerous illness that can sneak up on you.
Heat stress causes dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, cramps, vomiting, and fainting. Not exactly a recipe for a productive workday. (Learn more about heat stress and symptoms here.)
Not only are these symptoms dangerous on their own but when you’re on a worksite, the risks can escalate even further. Imagine trying to handle heavy machinery, carry hefty objects, or work at dizzying heights while feeling like a hot mess. Your risk of an accident increases.
And if you’re one of those brave souls who have to wear heavy protective gear while you work, your risk of heat exhaustion goes up, since you can’t simply take off you’re your gear to cool down.
So how does your body protect itself against heat stress? Your body regulations your internal core temperature through thermoregulation. Shivering and sweating are both mechanisms of thermoregulation. Sweating is the body’s main way of cooling off but while doing so it releases water and necessary electrolytes.
But heres the kicker: if the temperature in your environment is higher than your natural body temperature (98.8°F), your bodys natural defense mechanisms are simply not enough.
How do you protect yourself from heat stress?
First line of defense: control of the heat. Whenever possible, try to control the heat in your work environment. This could mean implementing ventilation systems, fans or air conditioning to move around stale air and bring in fresh, cool air.
Administratively speaking, all workers should have regular breaks in a cooler area where they can rehydrate and lower their body temperature.
New workers should be given some extra time to acclimate to working in the high heat, even experienced workers who have taken more than a week off should take some acclimation time. The body is incredibly resilient but needs time to adjust. Ease into the high heat activities to avoid any harsh consequences. Read more about acclimatization here.
Once you’ve done what you can to control the heat, then move onto these measures.
STAY HYDRATED. And I’m not just talking about chugging a gallon of water in one go. Nope, electrolytes like sodium and chloride need to be replenished. Electrolyte drinks are a great way to do that, but remember to consume them steadily throughout the day. Trying to replenish electrolytes all at once can do more harm than good. Read more about electrolytes here.
Don’t forget about protective clothing! Visors, cooling towels, cooling vests and sunshades can be little superheroes that keep the body cool and comfortable. Browse our cooling products HERE.
Lastly, if you’re working out in the sun – always make sure you have access to a shaded area. Trust us, being in direct sunlight can make the heat feel 10-15 degrees warmer. So take breaks or even work under the shade whenever possible to protect yourself from overheating.
Everyone should take heat stress seriously, regardless of experience. With the right engineering and administrative controls, coupled with protective clothing, proper hydration (drink those electrolytes!) and a shaded area—you’ll be ready to tackle your hot workday as safely as possible.
Are you a visual learner? Watch our expert-led webinar on “Heat Stress on Worksites” here.
Acclimation is the process of gradually increasing your workload and exposing yourself to the heat over a period of time.
Tradespeople and construction workers are known for their strong work ethic and enthusiastic pride toward their work. There is a natural inclination to want to jump in and get the job done. However, when it comes to working in hot conditions, that enthusiasm comes with significant risks.
Taking the necessary time to acclimate to the heat is not just beneficial; it’s a critical safety measure that could be lifesaving. By gradually increasing the workload over 1-2 weeks, taking at least 2 hours of exposure per day, and cooling off and rehydrating between shifts, workers can acclimate effectively.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) recommends the following acclimatization schedule:
For NEW WORKERS:
– 1st day: 20% of usual work durations
– 2nd day: 40% of usual work duration
– 3rd day: 60% of usual work duration
– 4th day: 80% of usual work duration
– 5th day: 100% of usual work duration
For workers with previous experience returning from absence, NIOSH recommends the following acclimatization schedule:
– 1st day: 50% of usual work duration
– 2nd day: 60% of usual work duration
– 3rd day: 80% of usual work duration
– 4th day: 100% of usual work duration
If you’re away from the heat for too long, your acclimation will start to decline. 1-3 days in cooler conditions will not hurt acclimatization but after one week, it begins to decline. After one month, most people return to baseline.
Here are some tips for acclimation:
Don’t push yourself to the point of heat exhaustion – that won’t help speed up acclimitazation.
The more intense or longer your shifts, the more time you need to acclimate.
Stay hydrated, replenish those electrolytes.
Keep active in your daily life helps with the acclimatization process.
Acclimatization is essential for maintaining well-being and ensuring that both new and seasoned workers can perform their duties safely and effectively.
Read more about heat stress prevention worksites here and all about electrolytes here.
Are you more of a visual learner? Watch our expert led webinar on “Heat Stress on Worksites” here.
Gatorade made electrolytes a game-changer for athletes, but we now know that anyone in conditions that deplete sweat can benefit from electrolytes.
The job site is like its own workout. Manual laborers sweat it out while getting the job done, and electrolytes play a crucial role in keeping them safe and healthy.
So, what are electrolytes exactly? They’re essential minerals that conduct electricity when they’re mixed in water. Our bodies are mostly water, and pretty much every fluid and cell inside us contain electrolytes. These amazing little guys help our body’s electric currents flow smoothly. They keep the right fluid balance, help muscles contract, balance our pH levels, and even keep our nervous system happy. When we have too many electrolytes, our kidneys filter them out through urine. We also lose electrolytes through sweat, so when you’re working hard, you’re losing electrolytes too.
Now, let’s talk about the key players in maintaining normal electrolyte levels.
(Source: istockphoto.com)
First up, we’ve got sodium – It’s the most abundant positive charge in our bodies, and it helps balance fluids and helps our cells get the nutrients they need.
Next, there’s magnesium. This positive charged ion helps turn nutrients into energy and is super important for our brain and muscles to do their thing.
Potassium is also a positive charged ion and it teams up with sodium to keep our hearts pumping strong.
Calcium is another positive charge player. It’s all about muscle control, helps our nerves get the message, and even keeps our heart rhythm just right.
Then we have chloride, the negative charge champ. It’s the second most abundant ion in our bodies and plays a big role in fluid balance and maintaining our pH levels.
Last but not least, we’ve got phosphate. Another negative charge hero, phosphate helps transport molecules outside our cells and gets our cells energized with the nutrients they need.
Now, let’s talk symptoms. If your electrolytes are imbalanced, you might experience
Nausea
vomiting
muscle spasms
confusion
Fatigue
weakness
dizziness
irregular heartbeat
seizures
Not something you want to experience while working on a worksite with heavy machinery and dangerous tools, right?
We get electrolytes from our diet, but we lose them through sweat. The more we sweat, the more we need to replenish. When you’re on the job, it can be tempting to push through fatigue or ignore refilling your drink, but that’s dangerous. Those symptoms of electrolyte imbalance? They’re dangerous all on their own. And when you’re working in high places or around heavy machinery, that danger level goes up for you and everyone around you.
How can you make sure you’re getting enough electrolytes? Keep a water bottle filled with a top-notch electrolyte mixture by your side at all times.
PRO TIP: if you’re not sweating, it could be a bad sign. Sweating is how our bodies cool down, and electrolytes play a huge role in that process. If you’re dehydrated or low on electrolytes, your body won’t sweat, and that means it can’t cool itself down. So, even if you’re not sweating, make sure you’re drinking water and replenishing those electrolytes.
A well-rounded, healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is the best way to maintain those electrolyte levels in the long run.
Lastly, our kidneys are responsible for monitoring and maintaining electrolyte balance. If you have any kidney issues, your needs may be different. Talk to your doctor about how to keep everything in check and functioning smoothly.
All in all, electrolytes are vital to keep our body’s balanced. Keeping yourself hydrated and replenished can make the difference when working in heat.
With summer quickly approaching, along with the peak of construction season, it’s crucial to turn our attention to HEAT STRESS PROTECTION.
On the west coast, where warmth graces our workdays throughout the year, the significance of heat stress protection becomes even more pronounced during the summer months. ☀
The first crucial step of safety under warm conditions is understanding the causes and recognizing the early signs of heat stress.
To understand Heat Stress, you must first understand the process within the body that regulate temperature.
HOMEOSTASIS: the self regulating process by which our bodies maintain stability, which includes the regulation of body temperature
THERMOREGULATION: a homeostatic process that allow the human body to maintain its core internal temperature of 98.6°F. Sweating and shivering are both mechanism to return the body to its internal core temperature. Sweating is the bodys main defense against overheating.
What is HEAT STRESS?
Heat stress occurs when the body cannot cool itself through sweating because the surrounding air temperature is close to or exceeds core body temperature (98°F). Heat Stress can lead to Heat Exhaustion which can lead to the more severe Heat/Sun Stroke.
OSHA warns that we should start protecting against heat stress starting at temperatures of 80°F. Anything above 90°F is cause for workers to be extremely cautious. If relative humidity is high, we should start paying attention at even lower temperatures.
HEAT INDUCED ILLNESS AND SYMPTOMS
HEAT INDUCED ILLNESS
THE BODY RESPONSE
SYMPTOMS
HEAT EXHAUSTION: WATER DEPLETION SALT/ELECTROLYTE DEPLETION
Dehydration, excessive sweating which leads to excessive water and electrolyte depletion
Muscle cramps Nausea Pale, clammy skin Profuse sweating Rapid heatbeat Confusion Dark colored urine Dizziness or fainting Fatigue Headache
HEAT OR SUN STROKE: very serious, can cause death or permanent disability
The body stops sweating. Core temperatures reaches critical levels. At 105°F, the brain and o ther organs can be damaged
As you can see, heat stress is not something to be taken lightly. It is also something that can sneak up on you, so preventative measures are much better than reactive measures. Acclimatization, Electrolyte replenishment and cooling PPE are a great way to prevent these dire illnesses.
Stay informed. Stay hydrated. Together, we can tackle the heat and continue to build and grow, no matter the temperature.
Are you a visual learner? Watch our expert-led webinar on “Heat Stress on Worksites” here.
