Working Outdoors in Warm Climates

Hot summer months pose special hazards for
outdoor workers who must protect themselves
against heat, sun exposure, and other hazards.
Employers and employees should know the
potential hazards in their workplaces and how
to manage them.

Sun
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
which causes premature aging of the skin,
wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. There are
no safe UV rays or safe suntans. Be especially
careful in the sun if you burn easily, spend a lot
of time outdoors, or have any of the following
physical features: numerous, irregular, or large
moles; freckles; fair skin; or blond, red, or light
brown hair. Here’s how to block those harmful
rays:

There are three kinds of major heat-related
disorders—heat cramps, heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. You need to know how to recognize
each one and what first aid treatment is
necessary.

Lyme Disease/Tick-Borne Diseases

These illnesses (i.e., Lyme, Rocky Mountain
spotted fever, HME) are transmitted to people
by bacteria from bites of infected ticks. In the
case of Lyme disease, most, but not all, victims
will develop a “bulls-eye” rash. Other signs and
symptoms may be non-specific and similar to
flu-like symptoms such as fever, lymph node
swelling, neck stiffness, generalized fatigue,
headaches, migrating joint aches, or muscle
aches. You are at increased risk if your work
outdoors involves construction, landscaping,
forestry, brush clearing, land surveying, farming,
railroads, oil fields, utility lines, or park and
wildlife management. Protect yourself with
these precautions:

• Wear light-colored clothes to see ticks
  more easily.
• Wear long sleeves, tuck pant legs into
  socks or boots.
• Wear high boots or closed shoes that
  cover your feet completely.
• Wear a hat.
• Use tick repellants, but not on your
  face.
• Shower after work. Wash and dry your
  work clothes at high temperature.
• Examine your body for ticks after work.
  Remove any attached ticks promptly
  and carefully with fine-tipped tweezers
  by gripping the tick. Do not use
  petroleum jelly, a hot match, or nail polish remover to remove the tick.

Protecting Workers from Heat Stress

Heat Illness
Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat
illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoided.
There are precautions that can be taken any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical
work.

Risk Factors for Heat Illness:

• High temperature and humidity, direct sun exposure, no breeze or wind.
• Heavy physical labor.
• No recent exposure to hot workplaces.
• Low liquid intake.
• Tight non-breathable clothing.
  Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
• Headache, dizziness, or fainting.
• Weakness and wet skin.
• Irritability or confusion.
• Thirst, nausea or vomiting.
• 
  Symptoms of Heat Stroke
• May be confused, unable to think clearly, pass out, collapse, or have seizures.
• May stop sweating.
  To Prevent Heat Illness
• Designate a responsible person to monitor conditions and protect workers who are at risk of
  heat stress.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Provide a supply of cool water to workers. At least one pint of water per
  hour is needed. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine.
• Modify work schedules and arrange for frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or
  air-conditioned areas.
• Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for workers new to the heat or
  those that have been away from work to adapt to working in the heat (acclimatization).
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothing. Consider protective clothing that provides
  cooling.
• Know signs/symptoms of heat illnesses; monitor yourself; use a buddy system.

Any employee feeling ill should notify a Supervisor immediately.

Information for this document Provided by OSHA
Prepared & edited by Michael Ballantine; Occupational Safety Consultants WWW.WORKRISKFREE.COM