Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen • September 2017 | Page 8

Making it a Priority
Employee Safety in the
Hot, Humid Weather
Can you answer the following
True or False statements
regarding protecting your
employees in the heat?
While elements of OSHA
materials are not specifically
mandatory, each employer is
expected under the General
Duty Clause to provide a safe
workplace to all workers. Take
the quiz below to see what
you know about worker safety
in the heat.
1. As long as each worker
knows to drink plenty of
water, they really don’t need
to worry about heat exposure.
2. All I need to tell my workers
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DITCHMEN • SEPTEMBER 2017
is that they should drink
plenty or water and rest if
they are feeling dizzy or sick
to their stomachs.
3. It is important for workers
to know the difference
between heat stroke and heat
exhaustion.
4. It’s best to drink small
amounts of water at more
frequent intervals rather than
larger amounts less often.
5. If I don’t feel thirsty while
working in heat, that means
I’m OK and don’t need to
hydrate or take a break.
6. Employees should know
what specific protocol to
follow if a worker or coworker
experiences heat exhaustion
or heat stroke.
7. The following are signs of
heat stroke: cramps, nausea
or vomiting, dizziness or
fainting.
8. If someone is having a heat
stroke, call 911 immediately.
9. If a worker is experiencing
heat exhaustion, it’s OK to
provide cool water, rest and
shade until he or she is ready
to get back to work.