Stay safe in extreme heat: Alta. Labour
By Gillian Slade on May 24, 2018.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade As temperatures continue to climb this week, Alberta Labour is urging employers and workers to take precautions when working out of doors. Heat stress can quickly develop into heat stroke, which is a life-threatening condition. “With summer temperatures finally here, we need to make sure those working outside take precautions to protect themselves and others. Extreme exposure to heat can result in illness, hospital visits and worse if we aren’t attentive. We want to make sure Albertans return home safe and healthy after a long day of work, and can spend time enjoying the sunny weather with their families,” said Alberta Labour Minister Christina Gray. Those experiencing early signs of heat stress should get out of the sun and drink cool water to address dehydration. “Watch for headache, dizziness, fatigue, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and changes to breathing and pulse rate. These symptoms can progress to heat stroke, which needs immediate medical attention,” says a press release. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to take all reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their workers. This includes providing cool drinking water, a cooling station for workers to take breaks, scheduling more frequent breaks, allowing workers to gradually increase outdoor work to become accustomed to the heat and scheduling more physically demanding tasks for cooler times of day. Workers can call occupational health and safety: 1-866-415-8690 if they feel their workplace is unsafe due to the hot weather. 9
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