By Thomas Gardner, Gallagher/Affinity

Physical labor jobs, such as landscaping, have some advantages over a typical desk job but being required to brave the elements isn’t one of them. Landscapers are often tasked with grueling work in extremely hot temperatures for hours on end.

Heat related illnesses don’t receive as much attention as other workplace hazards and are often under reported. Keeping employees safe is always a priority for business owners, but battling the heat can be extra tricky in the summer.

Being educated as a business owner, and passing that education on to your employees, is vital to keeping everyone safe. The CDC provides some free resources that can help you spot heat related illness early. There are four prominent heat related conditions that vary in severity:

  • Heat rash is the least serious heat related illness. It’s usually more uncomfortable than it is dangerous. Heat rash appears on the body in small red blisters, usually on the chest and neck, in the groin area and in elbow creases. This heat related illness occurs when sweat is unable to evaporate from the surface of the skin, which can happen when you’ve spent long hours working and sweating in hot conditions. Heat rash is not dangerous, but it is a good idea to hydrate and move out of the hot weather if you’re experiencing heat rash symptoms. To ease discomfort associated with the rash, you can take a cool shower and apply talcum powder to any affected areas.
  • Heat cramps are more serious than heat rash. These cramps are muscle spasms that occur when your body lacks both salt and water. It’s possible to experience heat cramps even if you’ve been hydrating, because you may not be replenishing the salt levels in your body that deplete when you sweat. Heat cramps most commonly occur in the arms, legs or abdomen. The best way to combat heat cramps is to:
    • Move out of the heat if possible.
    • Drink cool water or an electrolyte-replenishing drink every 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Apply a cool wet compress to the cramping area.
  • Heat exhaustion is the most common of all heat related illnesses. It’s also a serious type of heat related illness that should be addressed as quickly as possible. Heat exhaustion is caused by the body’s extreme depletion of water and salt. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are often similar to those of the flu (headache, weakness, fatigue and nausea), though heat exhaustion symptoms can also include an elevated body temperature, excessive sweating and decreased urine output. If not treated, this level of dehydration can lead to heat stroke. If you notice someone experiencing heat exhaustion:
    • Move them into a cool, less humid area.
    • Have the person lie down and apply a cool wet compress directly to the head, neck and face.
    • Fan air towards the body to help lower body temperature.
    • Loosen clothing and remove any unnecessary clothing, like shoes and socks.
    • Drink water or a drink with electrolytes frequently.
  • Heat stroke is the most serious type of heat related illness and it can be fatal if not treated. Heat stroke happens when the body loses its ability to regulate temperature, and overheats. There are two types of heat stroke. Classic heat stroke is characterized by a cessation of sweating. Classic heat stroke is also accompanied by symptoms like a high fever, confusion, unconsciousness and/or convulsions. If your body stops sweating, classic heat stroke is imminent. Exertional heat stroke is typically caused by a combination of heavy physical activity or exertion and heat exposure. Exertional heat stroke looks just like classic heat stroke, except that someone affected will continue to sweat. Whether exertional or classic, heat stroke is the most serious type of heat-related illness. Because the body cannot regulate temperature, the affected individual’s body temperature can soar in just minutes to 106° F. This extreme temperature can cause permanent brain damage and even lead to death if it is not brought down. If you notice someone experiencing heat stroke, call medical first responders immediately. While waiting for medical care providers to arrive:
    • Move the person to a shaded, cool area.
    • Remove or loosen as much clothing as possible.
    • Provide the person with cool drinking water.
    • Work to cool the person as quickly as possible with:
      • A cold water or ice bath.
      • Cool wet compresses or ice packs under the arms, on the neck, ankle, groin and behind the knees.
      • Fan air over their body.

It is important to know what is required of you as a business owner. California was the first state to adopt heat illness prevention regulations. The regulations require that outdoor employees have access to one quart of water per hour for the entire shift, that employees have the right to take a break in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel they need one, and that employers receive special training. Fines of up to $25,000 per violation may be assessed on employers.

All employees should be educated on the signs of heat related health problems. It is also recommended that business owners make water and drinking cups available to workers, especially employees who perform strictly outdoor work.

Those employees should also be made aware of how they can help beat the heat with the right type of work clothes. High-performance blend pants and shirts are a great start. They should help wick the moisture away and protect the wearer from the sun. Headwear is also essential, preferably a hat that also offers shade to the neck area as well as the face.

As summer weather continues to heat up, the risk of heat related illnesses will continue to increase. If you do come face to face with an employee's heat related illness, make sure that, and much more, is covered.

Learn more about available coverage at gallagheraffinity.com/mnla or contact MNLA’s insurance expert, Ashley Thomas, of Gallagher Affinity at 918.764.1619 or ashley_thomas@ajg.com for a coverage review.

 

The information contained herein is offered as insurance Industry guidance and provided as an overview of current market risks and available coverages and is intended for discussion purposes only. This publication is not intended to offer legal advice or client-specific risk management advice. Any description of insurance coverages is not meant to interpret specific coverages that your company may already have in place or that may be generally available. General insurance descriptions contained herein do not include complete Insurance policy definitions, terms, and/or conditions, and should not be relied on for coverage interpretation. Actual insurance policies must always be consulted for full coverage details and analysis.

The claim scenarios described here are intended to show the types of situations that may result in claims. These scenarios should not be compared to any other claim. Whether or to what extent a particular loss is covered depends on the facts and circumstances of the loss, the terms and conditions of the policy as issued and applicable law. Facts may have been changed to protect privacy of the parties involved.

Insurance brokerage and related services to be provided by Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. (License No. 0D69293) and/or its affiliate Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California, Inc. (License No. 0726293)