Working In Hot Weather
Conditions
It is officially summer here in British Columbia, and this can only mean one thing - sun!
Although most of us enjoy the warm weather, this also means outdoor working conditions can get
hot, uncomfortable, and unfortunately smoky due to the wildfires our province experiences. Here
are some precautions we must take to ensure we stay safe and healthy when working in the heat
and in smoke-filled air.
Workers should drink a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes, even
if they are not thirsty, to reduce the likelihood of dehydration.
Provide areas of shade to shield workers from the
sun’s rays. Pop-up tents, buildings, and trees are some
examples.
Education and training about heat-related illnesses should be given
to workers to help recognize symptoms and seek timely first aid and
medical help.
Where possible, try and reduce the amount of time outdoors.
Try and schedule less demanding tasks between 11am-4pm
when the sun’s rays are strongest.
In wildfire smoke, use a properly fit-tested, half-face respirator
to reduce exposure.
Find Actsafe’s ‘Working in Extreme Hot Temperature’ bulletin and more helpful resources on
our website www.actsafe.ca.
6 Safety Scene
Scene S ummer Summer
2019 Edition:
2019 Edition:
Orientation
Orientation