Heat stress is a serious issue that generally affects workers who work outdoors in hot / humid weather. Heat stress can also impact workers in hot indoor environments. Heat stress can cause dehydration, exhaustion and even life-threatening strokes. That's why it's essential for employers to take steps to prevent heat stress and protect their employees.

Parts of the United States have experienced higher than normal temperatures and startling weather patterns that result in earlier and more severe hot weather. According to EPA research and statistics, unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades and extreme heat events (heat waves) are expected to become longer, more frequent, and more intense in the future. Not unexpectedly, the risk of deaths and injuries from heat illness has risen in these areas. It is no coincidence that regulations and standards to prevent heat stress illness and protect workers have been a high priority for Federal OSHA, state plan OSHA offices, and other safety and health organizations.  

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) is a trade association that represents sheet metal and HVAC contractors in the United States. SMACNA recognizes the importance of preventing heat stress in the workplace, and they have taken several steps to help their members do so. SMACNA is involved in the regulatory process by participating in the OSHA rule-making process and establishing appropriate consensus standards.

One of the most important things that SMACNA is doing to prevent heat stress is providing education and resources to their members. Company training should provide workers with information on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress, how to prevent heat stress, and what to do if someone shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. SMACNA has created resources that provide guidance on heat stress including a model heat stress prevention program and heat stress tip cards. The purpose of the tip card is to supplement training about heat stress. Sheet metal and HVAC companies are encouraged to use these resources or develop their own. The tip cards are laminated, two-sided cards with the theme of PAT – Prevention, Awareness, and Treatment to emphasize the various aspects of heat exposure.   

These three areas include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Providing plenty of water and electrolyte replacement drinks and encouraging workers to drink them frequently.
2. Allowing for frequent breaks in a cool, shaded area.
3. Encouraging workers to wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
4. Providing fans or air conditioning to cool the work environment.
5. Using reflective barriers to reduce radiant heat exposure.
6. Providing appropriate PPE, such as hats, sunglasses, and cooling vests.
7. Implementing a written heat stress prevention program and training employees in its procedures.
8. Monitoring workers for signs and symptoms of heat stress and taking appropriate action if they are identified.
9. Implementing appropriate engineering controls to reduce the risk of heat stress.

One of the key elements in Awareness focuses on the importance of individual workers knowing when heat stress is affecting them and taking appropriate steps such as notifying the supervisor and seeking medical attention. As with mental health illness, there can be a stigma around feeling vulnerable to heat stress. The external denial from workers is the “macho” resistance to report or talk about feeling sick or faint and how they look and act on the outside to cover up their illness. Internal denial is the lack of willingness or ability to recognize the sick feelings and then take proper action to seek help.

Federal OSHA also provides resources on heat stress prevention for the construction industry. OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention webpage offers a wealth of information on how to prevent heat stress, including best practices, training materials, and other resources.

To ensure that these efforts are effective, many companies are implementing heat stress management plans. These plans outline specific procedures for monitoring workers for signs and symptoms of heat stress, including establishing a chain of command for dealing with medical emergencies. Employers are also encouraging workers to report any signs of heat stress and making it clear that they will not face retaliation for doing so.

In use now, and more in the future, emerging technology to help prevent heat stress is becoming more available. For example, some companies are using wearable devices to monitor workers' core body temperature and heart rate, alerting supervisors when workers are at risk of heat-related illness. Other companies are using sensors to monitor environmental conditions and provide real-time data on temperature and humidity levels.

Despite these efforts, there is still more that can be done to prevent heat stress in the sheet metal and HVAC industry. One area where there is room for improvement is in addressing the unique challenges faced by migrant workers and those with limited English proficiency. These workers may be less likely to speak up about heat-related concerns or may not fully understand the risks of heat stress. Employers can help by providing training and resources in multiple languages and ensuring that all workers understand the risks of heat stress.

To summarize, heat stress is a serious concern for workers in the sheet metal and HVAC industry. Fortunately, the industry has taken important steps to prevent heat stress and promote worker safety. By providing education and training, access to resources, and implementing engineering controls and heat stress management plans, employers can help protect workers from the dangers of heat stress.