Photo 32174823 © Rafael Ben Ari | Dreamstime.com

By Tanner Smith

Heat Wave

Provincial government “urging safety” for heatwave workers

Jul 20, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Alberta government urges all workers and employers to “emphasize health and safety” during this heat wave.

In a release, the provincial government said all employers and workers should be aware of the early signs of heat stress, as it could progress to a life-threatening condition, heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat stress:

• Irritability
• Headache
• Dizziness and fatigue
• Heavy sweating
• Dehydration (may include a reduced ability to sweat)
• Muscle cramps
• Heat rash

The province also provided some safe work practices for both employers to implement and workers to follow; as the Occupational Health and Safety Act “requires employers to assess hazards and take all reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of workers.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

What employers can do:

• Provide plenty of cool drinking water.
• Reduce physical activity demands on workers, change the work location to a cooler, shaded area and create a cooling station where workers can rest.
• Use a work/rest schedule with extra breaks if needed.
• Allow workers to acclimatize by gradually increasing the time spent working outdoors or in other hot environments.
• Schedule physically demanding jobs for cooler times of the day.
• Start the work day earlier when it’s cooler and end the work day before the heat hits its peak.
• Train and educate workers to recognize signs of heat stress.

What workers can do:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Wear suitable clothing for the heat in combination with any needed personal protective equipment.
• Alert their supervisor or employer if they’re feeling heat stress symptoms.
• Work at a pace that does not produce heat stress symptoms.

The Alberta government added susceptibility to heat-related injury or illness can vary from person to person.

Environment Canada does forecast this heatwave to exit the Peace Region by Wednesday, July 24.

Anyone wanting additional information on working in extreme temperatures, click here.