Last June, much of North Carolina experienced dangerously hot temperatures and the chances are they will happen more frequently.
Many people fail to pay enough regard to the dangers hot days present. Among them are some employers who expect their workers to continue as normal when the temperatures rocket.
Employers have a duty to provide a safe working environment
Here are some of the things employers should do:
- Ensure workers have access to enough drinking water and time to drink it regularly.
- Provide shade where possible.
- Allow sufficient breaks, especially through the hottest parts of the day
- Accept that production may have to suffer in the name of health
- Train and instruct supervisors on how to monitor workers for signs of heat-related illness
Obviously, some employers won’t do enough. That could lead to workers experiencing any of the following:
- Heat stroke: This is when the body’s temperature rises above 103 Fahrenheit and it requires urgent medical intervention.
- Heat exhaustion: This can cause people to vomit, feel dizzy or pass out and may require a day or more off to recover
- Heat cramps: These could be even more problematic for anyone with a heart condition.
- Sunburn: This can beyond a little redskin and leave lasting scarring.
One of the major problems with prolonged heatwaves is that many workers are not able to recover before returning to work the next day. Those without air conditioning in their homes, will not get the relief that those with it do. Hence their bodies do not get a break from the stress the heat causes them.
So while they may fall ill at home or on the weekend, the week of work in heat may have been what led to it. They may need help to tie their illness to their workplace to claim compensation.
