Here along the East Coast, we experience everything from heavy snow to hurricanes and everything in between. I’m sure many of you are familiar with bundling up on days when you see snow outside or cleaning up lawn furniture at home before a big storm rolls through.
Heat, however, poses a different risk because it’s much harder to see. One day, you are enjoying the weather, and the next day, you step outside, and it’s like a blow dryer is hitting you in the face. The temperature change isn’t just annoying—it can be dangerous.
That’s why this year during ReMA’s Safety Stand Down Week, in conjunction with OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week, we are focusing on heat safety.
Here are three easy ways to help your team beat the heat:
- Water. Get in the habit of drinking at least one cup of cool water every 20 minutes while working in the heat, even if you’re not thirsty. In fact, if you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. If you’re working a long day in the heat, make sure to replenish your electrolytes as well.
- Rest. Taking a break when it’s hot outside helps us cool our body temperatures down. You might be tempted to skip a break, but in hot conditions, this is not safe.
- Shade. If you are working outdoors, find a shady area like an air-conditioned vehicle or a nearby tent with fans and misting devices to take your break. If you happen to be working indoors, rest in a cool or air-conditioned area away from heat sources like heavy equipment.
Each facility’s needs will be different, even within the same organization. Perhaps your company has one facility in the Southeast and another in the upper Midwest. It could be likely that your team in the Southeast acclimates to the heat quicker than those in the upper Midwest. Another operation might limit outdoor work once it reaches a certain temperature. Find a solution that works for your specific needs to keep your team safe.
And if you need help working through your facility’s heat safety plan, reach out to our Director of Safety Outreach, Dr. Ryan Nolte, at rnolte@isri.org.
BONUS: Download this printout to post in your break rooms.
By working together, we can help keep our employees safe. Remember, do it safely or not at all.
Hazard Recognition: Fire Safety & Prevention in Recycling
Building a comprehensive fire safety prevention plan isn’t always easy—especially with some of the hazards the recycled materials industry is facing today. Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone.
ReMA is offering a FREE fire safety course, thanks to grant funding through OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training program.
In this course, you will learn about identifying fire safety risks at your facility and steps you can take to prevent risks at your facility. Even seasoned EHS experts have learned new skills in this training.
To learn more, please contact our Director of Safety Outreach, Dr. Ryan Nolte, at rnolte@isri.org.
A Message from ReMA’s Executive Team
Click here to watch an important message from ReMA’s Executive Team.
Participate in Safety Stand Down Week with Us
Everyone is invited to participate in Safety Stand Down Week with us.
- Set aside time each day to meet with your team for a tailgate talk.
- Follow ReMA on LinkedIn for a daily video to share with your team.
- Start a conversation with your team about what they saw in the video.
We would love to see photos of your team participating in Safety Stand Down Week. Share photos on social media and tag #ReMA in your posts or email them to us.
