Temperatures in Kentucky will be back up into the mid-to-upper 90’s next week. Conditions like this and what we have seen this past week have state officials concerned for the safety of workers.
The secretary of the Kentucky Labor Cabinet is urging employers to establish a heat illness prevention plan. Anthony Stigler is an industrial hygienist for the Cabinet. He said part of the plan they are recommending involves training employees to look for signs of heat related illness and other precautions.
“Heat exhaustion, heat stress, heat cramps, training on those employees, recognize signs and symptoms, giving them plenty of fluids throughout the day, preferably water, and then providing plenty of breaks to have recovery time in case they’re becoming overheated,” said Stigler.
Some of the signs include headache, dizziness, heavy sweating, and nausea. Stigler adds that those working outdoors, and hot indoor environments are at the highest risk.
He said it is important to keep an eye on new workers if they are going to be in a hot environment.
“If you’ve got a new employee coming on right now, maybe they’re not used to working in that environment. It takes a little while for that person to become acclimatized to working in those hot environment. It is always important to watch those within those first two weeks or so they come on,” Stigler explained.
He also said the Cabinet is urging employers need to learn how to respond to various heat related problems.
