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Exposure to high temperatures on the job can put workers at risk of heat stress. Whether that be outdoor or indoor work conditions, heat stress poses a threat to worker health and productivity.
Alongside environmental acclimatization, rest breaks, and proper hydration, employers can also help to ensure workers are supplied appropriate personal protective equipment or PPE.
As the weather starts to get warmer in the northern hemisphere, the daily risks of heat stress and heat stroke increase. Workers in outdoor environments like those working in the utilities, oil & gas, and construction industries are at a greater risk. Heat stress occurs when the body’s natural cooling processes fail to effectively regulate body temperature. Signs of heat stress can include fatigue, exhaustion, headaches, flu-like symptoms, cramping, dizziness, rash from excessive sweating, fainting and more. Not only is heat stress a health hazard, workers suffering from heat exhaustion are at greater risk for accidents since they are less alert and may not be able to think clearly. It is important to know the risks of heat stress and how to properly mitigate them to stay healthy and productive.
Workers need their FR clothing to provide protection from the arc and flame hazards while on the job and comfort, regardless of body type and fit. Sometimes it’s a matter of personal preference, sometimes it’s a specific combination, and it’s typically determined by a hazard analysis done by your company.
At this point, most safety professionals in the Oil and Gas industry are specifying 2112 compliant garments. Thankfully, there are many 2112 certified choices in the market. We are often asked to describe what 2112 certification means and why end users should care about it. Let’s cover these points and some other frequently asked questions.
You may have heard of the myth that 70% of your body heat is lost through your head, and while this is only a myth, it is still extremely important to keep your head covered this winter. The amount of body heat lost depends on how much skin you expose, not the particular body. Since the head only makes up about 10 percent of the average body’s total area, it can only account for 10 percent of total body heat lost.
Although the head does not naturally lose heat disproportionately from the body, leaving your head exposed while the rest of your body is covered can cause this disproportionate loss of heat. Check out the video to the right, created by University of Michigan Professor Andrew Maynard, which debunks the 70% myth and illustrates how heat is lost through the body.
The best way to protect yourself from the cold is to have full body coverage, including your head. When it comes to working outside around arc flash and fire hazards, this is often not as easy as it sounds. Once you’ve found the proper FR workwear and outerwear for cold weather, don’t forget to complete your full body coverage with winter head protection. The specific FR headwear that will work best for you will depend on your potential hazards, employer requirements, and personal preference.
Staying warm this winter isn’t just a matter of comfort, it’s a matter of safety. Leaving your body exposed to the various winter hazards can lead to decreased productivity and potential injury, even death. Thankfully, with the proper FR clothing, it’s possible to stay both warm and protected this winter.
While selecting FR clothing for cool and cold weather can be a difficult task, being aware of all potential hazards will help you with this process. However, as the seasons change, so do the hazards. To prepare you for the change in seasons, here are the top 3 winter hazards to watch for and how to prepare for them.
As the winter months approach and the temperature drops, it’s important to keep workers warm by selecting the proper FR clothing. The cooler temperatures create a new hazard for workers: cold stress. Similar to heat stress, this occurs when someone loses the ability to regulate their body temperature due to being exposed to extreme temperatures. As skin temperature drops, the core body temperature will eventually drop too. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and performance, but it doesn’t stop there. Cold stress can eventually lead to hypothermia, which can cause workers to lose coordination, a decrease in breathing and heart rate, and a loss of consciousness. To protect your workers from cold stress, it is important to select the proper FR clothing for the cold weather.
Below is a list of considerations to follow when selecting FR clothing for your team for the cooler months
Like all good things, summer must come to an end. Fall is quickly approaching and with it comes foul weather and cold temperatures. Thankfully, staying warm, dry, and compliant doesn’t have to be hard.
Finding the proper work wear and foul weather gear will depend on the environment, work conditions/practices, and potential hazards you face. Rain, low visibility, and cold temperatures are just a few of the factors that need to be considered when selecting the proper FR workwear and outerwear. Equally important to staying warm and dry is remaining compliant to industry standards for safety. Layering FR garments is a great way to stay warm and dry, but, if not done properly, it can interfere with the necessary requirements for compliance to the industry and employer standards. Whether you comply with OSHA 1910, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 2112 outer most layers must be FR.
To prepare you for the change of seasons, here are 5 ways to stay warm and remain compliant this fall.
