How do you keep outdoor workers cool?

Working outdoors in the heat can be challenging and dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. Outdoor workers such as construction workers, landscapers, road workers, and others face increased risk of heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke when working long hours in high temperatures. Keeping outdoor workers cool, hydrated, and protected from the sun is essential for their health and safety.

Provide Plenty of Cool, Potable Water

The most important way to keep outdoor workers cool is to provide plenty of cool, potable water. Workers should have access to water coolers or bottled water throughout the day so they can stay hydrated. Water should be kept in the shade or in coolers with ice so it stays cool. Encourage workers to drink water frequently, even if they do not feel thirsty. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employers should provide workers with 1 quart of water per hour for the entire shift when temperatures exceed 77°F. Cool water aids in cooling the body through sweating and prevents dangerous dehydration.

Temperature	Water Intake Recommendation
77-90°F	1 quart (32 oz) per hour
Above 90°F	1.5-2 quarts (48-64 oz) per hour

Besides plain water, sports drinks like Gatorade can help replace electrolytes lost through sweating. Avoid drinks with high sugar content as they can dehydrate rather than hydrate. Caffeinated drinks like coffee and soda also contribute to dehydration.

Provide Shade and Cooling Areas

Providing access to shade and cooling areas allows workers’ bodies to cool down. Workers should be able to take regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas throughout the day. Sitting under trees, canopies, umbrellas or structures with roofs creates shade and relief from the sun. For worksites without natural shade, consider renting tents, canopies or portable structures. Air conditioning in break rooms, trailer offices, or vehicles offers the best cooling relief.

Other Options for Cooling Areas

• Misting fans or cooling fans provide a light breeze and evaporative cooling through mist.
• Use of cooling vests or cooling towels that can be wetted to aid conductive cooling.
• Access to air conditioned vehicles for periodic cooling breaks.

Rotate workers in and out of cooling areas as needed to prevent overheating and allow bodies to recover. Cooling areas should have enough space to accommodate the workforce. Make sure to maintain physical distancing in communal cooling areas during COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjust Work Schedules

Adjusting work schedules can help avoid the hottest parts of the day and prevent overheating. Here are some options to consider:

• Start the workday earlier in the morning before temperatures rise to their peak.
• Schedule the heaviest work during the coolest parts of the day.
• Take longer, more frequent breaks during the hottest times.
• Stop work early or temporarily halt work during heat waves or days with excessive heat warnings.
• Consider shifting to a 4-10 schedule with longer weekend breaks to avoid midday heat.

Communicate schedule changes clearly to workers ahead of time so they can plan accordingly. Monitor the weather forecast daily and adjust schedules as needed to protect workers from extreme heat.

Provide Cooling PPE and Clothing

Providing workers with cooling personal protective equipment (PPE) and appropriate clothing can help prevent overheating. Consider:

• Lightweight, breathable work clothing that wicks away sweat.
• Vented hard hats to allow airflow.
• Safety glasses with ventilation to prevent fogging.
• Cooling accessories – wetted cooling towels, cooling vests, neck shades, etc.
• Wide brim hats to shade the face, head, and neck.
• UV protection arm sleeves and sunglasses.

Choose cooling PPE that meets required safety standards. Ensure clothing offers adequate protection from the sun – long sleeves, pants, etc. Allow workers to remove PPE during breaks if doing so is safe. Well-ventilated and lightweight clothing helps sweat evaporate, enabling the body to maintain a cool temperature.

Schedule Strenuous Tasks Carefully

The intensity of work should be paced appropriately throughout the day to prevent overexertion in the heat. Here are some tips for scheduling tasks:

• Plan the most physically intense work during the coolest parts of day.
• Pace workloads with appropriate rest breaks in shade or air conditioning.
• Rotate staff on more strenuous tasks to limit exposure and strain.
• Pay attention to and accommodate workers with health conditions impacted by heat.
• Have lighter work planned for later in the day as temperatures climb.

Monitor workers throughout the day for signs of overexertion. Allow additional breaks or temporary job reassignment as needed. Adjust work pacing according to heat index and humidex measurements.

Provide Heat Illness Training

Educating workers about heat illness, prevention, symptoms, and first aid can save lives. Include training on:

• How the body reacts to heat and how heat illness occurs.
• Preventative measures like hydration, rest, shade, and acclimatization.
• How to recognize early symptoms of heat cramps, rash, exhaustion, and stroke.
• Steps for responding to symptoms and administering first aid.
• Proper steps for calling emergency responders when needed.

Post informational materials and reminders about heat safety around the worksite. Establish a clear emergency response plan with qualified first aid providers identified. Review heat safety procedures regularly prior to hot weather seasons.

Monitor the Weather Diligently

Closely monitoring current weather conditions and forecasts enables appropriate safety planning as conditions change. Check the:

• Current temperature and humidity levels
• Heat index or humidex readings
• Extended forecasts daily and throughout the day
• Any heat advisories, warnings, or extreme heat alerts

Use the forecasted weather to guide scheduling adjustments, workloads, and breaks. Compare readings to occupational exposure limits and adjust work as needed if temperature thresholds are exceeded. Do not wait until employees show symptoms to reduce heat exposure proactively.

Acclimatize Workers

Acclimatization periods help workers physically adjust to hot conditions. Gradually increase workloads and exposure over multiple days:

• 50% workload and exposure on days 1-2
• 60% workload and exposure on days 3-4
• 80% workload and exposure on day 5
• 100% workload and exposure after day 5

New workers, those returning from absences, and all employees at the start of warm seasons should go through proper acclimatization. This builds tolerance and helps prevent heat illness. Ensure proper hydration, rest, and shade during the acclimatization period.

Implement a Buddy System

A buddy system enhances monitoring of heat symptoms and enables quick assistance or emergency response. Some guidelines include:

• Assigning workers in pairs to monitor each other for signs of heat stress
• Ensuring proper spacing so buddies can adequately observe one another
• Rotating buddies periodically to allow for rest breaks
• Instructing buddies on how to identify symptoms and provide initial aid

Buddies can remind each other to hydrate frequently and take breaks as needed. Quick identification of heat issues and notification of supervisors for evaluation and first aid can prevent more serious medical emergencies.

Report and Record Heat Illnesses

Properly reporting and recording heat illness incidents enables assessment of safety practices and improvements to prevent recurrences. Steps include:

• Workers immediately reporting symptoms or observing distress in others
• Supervisors evaluating and implementing emergency response procedures
• Details of illnesses and contributing factors documented
• Medical treatment, work time lost, and outcomes tracked
• Corrective actions implemented and communicated to workers

Analysis of heat illness reports should inform updates to heat safety procedures, training, emergency planning, equipment, and scheduling. Keeping documentation makes illnesses recordable for OSHA purposes and aids prevention.

Provide Heat Stress Meters

Heat stress meters enable monitoring of environmental temperatures and can help guide workplace safety planning. Options include:

• Wet Bulb Globe Thermometers – measure heat index based on temperature, humidity, wind, and radiation.
• Personal Heat Stress Monitors – worn by workers to track individual exposure.
• Area Heat Stress Monitors – monitor ambient work environment.

Meters allow real-time tracking of temperature metrics against safety limits. Readings can direct rest breaks, hydration, and stopping work if maximums are exceeded. Meter use demonstrates heat illness prevention efforts for compliance purposes.

Utilize Cooling Technology

Specialized technology can be used to directly cool environments and workers:

• Fans – usejoxkkjkjkhoiuouoi cool through convection and evaporation.
• Misting or fogging systems – atomize water into fine droplets that absorb heat.
• Ice slurry machines – shave ice and blow ultra-cold air.
• Vortex tubes – compressed air is cooled as it is forced into a circular motion.
• Air conditioners and chillers – lower air temperature through refrigeration.
• Evaporative coolers – lower temperature through water evaporation.

High tech options like vortex tubes and ice slurry systems can directly provide spot cooling for outdoor workers. Lower tech choices like fans and misting provide cheaper cooling solutions. Evaluate costs, cooling power, and applicability when choosing technologies.

Allow Self-Limiting of Work

Empowering workers to self limit their exposure to heat demonstrates a commitment to safety. Make it clear that workers should not push past the point of comfort and should take preventative rest breaks. Specific guidelines can include:

• Working no faster than a regular pace or work speed standard
• Taking a break any time they feel overheated or distressed
• Rotating to lighter work when feeling fatigued or weak
• Stopping work entirely if symptoms persist after rest
• Reporting symptoms to supervisors early before conditions worsen

Ensure that self-limiting practices do not negatively impact pay or standing. Avoid any incentives to push through heat stress. Empowerment prevents workers from the instinct to ignore warning signs and avoid taking breaks.

Conclusion

Protecting outdoor workers from heat illnesses requires ongoing vigilance and adequate precautions. Providing rest, shade, hydration, training, and appropriate clothing form the foundation of heat safety plans. Monitoring conditions, adjusting work schedules, using technology, empowering workers, and having emergency response protocols are all key elements of a comprehensive strategy. Keeping outdoor workers cool, healthy, and productive amid hot weather requires attention to detail but pays dividends through reduced illnesses and injuries.