What is Heat Stress? 7 Things You Should Know

Areas all over the world have experienced historic highs in extreme heat. Even when temperatures hover near the norms, heat poses a dangerous threat that can sometimes be fatal.

Close to 700 people each year die from heat issues. You probably have heard a lot about heat stroke, but heat stress is just as critical and requires your attention.

What is heat stress? How can you handle it in your workplace? We'll explore this topic in the article below.

What Is Heat Stress?

Essentially, heat stress is a condition that occurs when your body can't effectively get rid of heat. People experience heat stress with a variety of symptoms.

It generally comes about in work settings when the heat is stifling, or there's poor cooling or ventilation.

Your company should undergo heat stress training so you can recognize the signs and understand how to respond.

1. Recognize the Signs of Heat Stress

One of the major parts of online compliance training for heat stress is understanding the signs and symptoms. These signs vary depending on the degree of heat and the person experiencing it.

When a person is enduring heat stress, it's likely that they will be irritable, nauseous, and may experience a headache. Heat stress might also come with weakness, large amounts of perspiration, and extreme thirst.

Use a touchless thermometer to take your temperature. People undergoing heat stress also tend to deal with elevations in core and body temperature.

2. Know the Effects

For many, getting out of the sun, hydrating, and resting is enough to overcome heat stress. For others, the symptoms are more pronounced and may require further attention.

The effects of heat stress are critical and can pose a danger to your workplace. When left unchecked, heat stress can lead to heat stroke or the development of rashes or cramping.

Heat strokes are life-threatening and send your body temperature about 104 degrees. It may require medical intervention or hospitalization.

These effects are spelled out in heat stress course materials that companies must fulfill to remain compliant.

3. Ramp Up your Safety Training

Safety training is the great equalizer that can keep you and the people in your workplace from succumbing to heat stress. Supervisors and professionals that work in hot and hazardous environments must get certified in this course work.

This includes training on preventing heat hazards from becoming overwhelming. You'll also be trained on first and recovery procedures.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) course teaches you what to do and how to report the incident to emergency personnel. When you act quickly, you can save someone from a potentially life-threatening situation.

4. Manage Your Workplace Settings

Controlling the variables in your workplace is the easiest way to keep heat stress from becoming an issue. If you're working indoors, make sure that there is plenty of cooling and ventilation.

This could involve industrial fans or a full-fledged air conditioning system. Hang signs reminding people to hydrate and keep plenty of water and electrolytes on hand that workers can use.

Appoint trained supervisors to enforce these sorts of protocols and recognize the signs that someone is experiencing heat stress.

5. Follow Some Practices

Managing frequent breaks is the best practice you can follow when working in hot conditions. Taking regular breaks from the heat prevents overheating and allows people the chance to hydrate and replace fluids.

Set up some designated break areas that have fans, air conditioning units, water, and other things to keep people cool and comfortable.

6. Keep Up With Your Certifications

You also need to make sure that you and everyone you work with are properly trained on how to deal with heat stress. This isn't just a matter of information; you must also get trained and certified so that you can stay in compliance.

For instance, definitely get OSHA construction training if your company handles building, repairs, and renovations. These workplace heat stress credentials will help you prevent it from occurring and know exactly how to take action whenever it does.

Figure out what certifications you're obligated to follow and find a school that provides these training courses. In many situations, you can take the course online, which cuts out a lot of the red tape and stress.

Once you register, you can immediately start working on the course load, and before you know it, you're testing for your certification.

7. Get the Help of Professionals That Can Offer Oversight

Compliance professionals can provide your company with an audit to make sure you're following all heat stress-related protocols. They can test your knowledge of the condition and make sure that the appropriate parties are trained and informed.

By getting this audit from a third-party, you might be able to prevent yourself from being found out of compliance by a real audit.

Many of the same companies that offer training can help you with this so that your company has the knowledge and oversight needed to deal with these conditions.

Know the Signs of Heat Stress

What is heat stress? Now that you have a keener understanding, you can make your workers safe every day. All it takes is the help of a company that has all of the training resources you need.

Compliance Training Online can get you up to speed on heat stress and a variety of other forms of compliance. If you'd like to get in touch or learn more about our courses, contact us today or call us at (512)410-7335.