With a wave of weather alerts this summer for scorching temperatures and oppressive heat, there is increasing urgency for companies to protect their drivers and technicians from heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
Between 2011 and 2021, heat stress contributed to an average of nearly 40 work-related deaths a year, according to figures released in June 2023 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts in occupational safety believe the actual numbers may be much higher.
Fortunately, there are ways to help workers beat the heat.
Acclimate your workers
Most outdoor fatalities, 50% to 70%, occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments, according to OSHA. That’s because the body needs a couple of weeks to build a tolerance to the heat gradually. OSHA recommends the “rule of 20”—adjust workload to 20% of the usual workload on the first day and gradually increase by 20% each additional day. For tips on helping workers acclimate to the heat, check out this brochure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prioritize health and hydration
Hydration, nutrition, and rest are the three keys to successfully dealing with heat stress and minimizing illness and injury among your workforce in the field. You can leverage those three keys in multiple stages of your plan, from awareness and preparedness to early acclimation.
Avoid peak hours and stock up
If the forecast indicates a spike in temperature, putting a preventive plan in place to help workers cope could help reduce risk. If possible, shift the schedule for outside work to earlier or later in the day, with breaks slotted when temperatures are projected to be at their peaks.
In addition to adjusting workloads, employers can order extra cases of water to hand out, along with electrolyte packets that can help balance fluids in the body. Other helpful items include vehicle window shades, portable fans, hats, and reusable water bottles.
Increase communication
Drivers and field technicians who are focused on their tasks may not be aware of symptoms as they develop. Fatigue can also sneak up and compromise alertness, which can lead to accidents and errors. Dispatchers and fleet managers can play a vital role by checking in with workers in the field more often on days when there is a heat advisory.
Technology can provide additional help
With thousands of field technicians and drivers, it may be impossible to keep close tabs on every worker. Machine vision and artificial intelligence tools can help identify potential driver fatigue and automatically alert the driver to take proactive steps in the moment to prevent risky driving. These technologies can include cameras, sensors, and vehicle tracking systems that monitor speed, braking, and steering habits of the driver and alert you to any potential risks on the road.
Bottom line: heat waves may be unavoidable, but heat stress illnesses and injuries are absolutely preventable.
Jeff Martin is VP of global sales strategy at Lytx. He has decades of operational experience in architecting, directing, and continuously improving operations and safety programs.
