Summer 2024 has brought record-high temperatures to many parts of the United States, including Arkansas. For those who work or play outdoors in summer, heat-related illness may occur.
To stay safe in the Arkansas heat, know the risks and what to do if heat-related illness occurs on the job.
Who is at Risk for Heat-Related Illness?
In extreme heat, anyone can be vulnerable to heat-related illness. Those at higher risk in the heat include:
- Children, especially infants and toddlers
- Seniors aged 65 and older, especially if they cannot adequately communicate their needs
- Pregnant people
- Anyone who is overweight or obese
- Anyone who is ill or takes certain medications that decrease heat tolerance
Those who work outdoors in the Arkansas heat or indoors in hot or non-air-conditioned buildings also face a higher risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illness is among the top conditions addressed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) each summer. Workers who often deal with excessively hot workplace conditions include:
- Anyone who works outdoors, especially in agriculture, construction, landscaping, and waste collection. Workers in settings like summer camps can also be vulnerable to heat-related illness, as can the children they supervise.
- Indoor workers in any environment that lacks air conditioning. Workers with labor-intensive jobs in these settings, like warehouse or manufacturing work, face an especially high risk.
- Healthcare workers, especially those with highly active jobs or who must work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned areas.
- Cooks and dishwashers in commercial kitchens and workers in food processing plants.
Workplace Injuries and Heat-Related Illness
Common symptoms of a heat-related illness include:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness or dizziness
- Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin
- Increased body temperature
- Increased thirst and/or decreased urine output
- Fainting
Pregnant workers may also experience increased Braxton-Hicks contractions or cramping.
Heat-related illnesses can occur in any hot conditions, including at work. If you see someone experiencing heat-related symptoms, OSHA recommends the following steps:
- Move the person to a cooler area
- Give them water to drink
- Use water, ice, or a fan to provide additional cooling
- Remove any unnecessary clothing
- Stay with the person to monitor their symptoms. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve, call 911 or seek medical care on-site from a qualified person.
What to Do If You Suffer Heat-Related Illness at Work
If you experience heat-related illness at work or you see a coworker experiencing symptoms, you can take steps to help.
Safety first. Move yourself or your co-worker to the shade or into a cool area. Loosen clothes, place wet clothes on the body, and ensure that the person drinks water. If heat cramps occur, wait for them to disappear before resuming work.
Call 911. Some symptoms of heat-related illness require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you or another person experiencing vomiting, dizziness, fainting, confusion, worsening symptoms, or any symptoms that last longer than one hour, including cramps. Call 911 if a person’s body temperature is over 104F (40C).
Report the illness. Report the illness to your supervisor or anyone in charge at your worksite. Reporting an illness allows you to start the workers’ compensation process, which may be needed if you require medical attention or need time away from work to recover from your illness.
Know your rights. You have the right to speak up about workplace hazards, including heat-related hazards, without facing retaliation. You can also request an OSHA inspection and speak to inspectors. If you face workplace retaliation for your actions, document what happened and talk to an experienced labor law attorney.
Speak to a lawyer. If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Arkansas can help you navigate the process. Heat-related illness or burn injuries from a defective product may mean you can seek compensation from a third party as well. An attorney can help you understand and protect your legal rights.