July Safety Month Topic
The Kent State Department of Environmental Health and Safety continues to bring you safety related information each month. As always , for questions or concerns, about safety on campus please contact our office for assistance. Please go to our website for more information.
During the summer months, the biggest safety related topic is heat safety. However, there are several other safety issues in the summer that will be addressed in this article. These include heat safety, safety in the sun, insects, vehicle safety and fall protection.
Heat Safety
With warmer conditions working outside , it is crucial that each employee protect themselves. It does not have to be extremely hot for a workers to develop heat illness, and it can happen indoors or outdoors.
As a result, you should be up to date with the signs and symptoms of common heat related illnesses and be able to identify these in yourself and fellow co-workers.
Heat rash is an uncomfortable rash that can be caused by blocked sweat glands which causes inflammation. Symptoms are red and bumpy skin and itchy feeling skin.
Heat cramps are involuntary muscle spasms that can occur during heavy lifting and working in hot environments. Symptoms include tightening of the calves, arms, abdominal muscles or back.
Neither heat rash nor cramps is life-threatening. However, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can endanger your life and can be caused when your body is overheating. Often, this is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun or working in hot temperatures. It is also a very common reason for workers to visit emergency rooms.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, sweating, pale/clammy skin, loss of appetite, and extreme thirst.
To prevent you and your colleagues from getting heat exhaustion, be sure to:
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Take regularly scheduled breaks when working outside.
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Acclimatize to working in the heat.
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Drink plenty of fluids (cool fluids if possible).
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Work in the shade where possible.
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Wear appropriate clothes that allow airflow.
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Wear a hat to shield your face from the sun, unless a helmet is the appropriate PPE on site.
If you are experiencing any symptom of heat stroke, call 911, as this is a medical emergency.
Safety in the Sun
Sun safety is also crucial, and July is UV safety awareness month.
When working outdoors, OSHA recommends:
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Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
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Wearing UV-absorbent sunglasses that protect the eyes from both UVA and UVB rays.
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Drinking water every 15 minutes.
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Taking frequent rest breaks in cool or air-conditioned areas.
Additionally, when working outside, it’s best to gently acclimatize to build a tolerance to the heat.
Insects
As the temperatures hit their peak in North America and we work outside more, insect safety is a topic that is often forgotten. However, besides the annoyance of insect bites, it’s also important to think about any diseases that can be transmitted by these little creatures. One bite from an infected mosquito could cause a range of viruses, including Zika, Dengue Fever, and the West Nile virus. Ticks are also common in Northeast Ohio and precautions should be taken to avoid Lyme disease.
Workers can protect themselves by:
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Using clothing that covers hands, arms, legs, and other exposed areas.
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Checking sources of standing water (and getting rid of them) as mosquitos can lay eggs in these locations.
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Using insect repellant.
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Covering the back of the neck with a longer hat.
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Washing any skin that has insect repellant on it when going back indoors.
Vehicle Safety
OSHA reports that every 12 seconds, someone dies in a car crash in the US. And in 2018, the CDC said that 1,276 US workers driving or riding a vehicle on a public road died in a work-related crash. Summer is a busy time on the roads on and around campus.
Be sure you have taken the Flashtrain Driver safety training and use caution when driving on campus, as well as to and from work.
Fall protection
Due to the heat in July, many workers may find themselves fatigued, exhausted, or struggling to concentrate. However, we shouldn’t forget the classic safety topics that are essential in warm and hot months. Fall protection is one of them.
To keep everyone safe in July, review critical fall protection topics such as harness inspection requirements. Check to ensure that your ladder is safe and pick the most appropriate ladder for the task.
As always with these articles, please contact Kent State EHS for questions and/or concerns. Please email Tim Styranec at tstyran1@kent.edu or call 330-672-4705.
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