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Good Work Practices
Acclimatization
No matter how hot the surrounding air becomes, the human body must always maintain its internal temperature of 98.6 degrees F. If the workplace air temperature increases, workers should be given time to get used to the new environment before being asked to work in it full-time. This is called acclimatization.It takes roughly one week for the body to adjust its internal temperature controls, such as sweating, to increased heat. On the first day of work in a hotter environment body temperature, pulse rate and general discomfort are high. With each succeeding day, the body becomes acclimatized to the heat. Gradual exposures, over a period of one week, reduce the likelihood of serious heat disorders among workers exposed to increased heat.
Workers who have adjusted or acclimatized to the heat must remember that they lose a little of their tolerance after being off for a couple of days. A vacation of nine days or more can wipe away almost all of an experienced worker's acclimatization. On the first day back, a worker will probably experience a higher amount of general discomfort; his/her body temperature and pulse rate will usually be higher. It will take a few days to re-acclimate to the heat. A worker who returns from vacation and begins to experience any of the health effects described above should slow down to allow for proper re-acclimatization.
Acclimatized workers should not have to take extra salt. Their salt losses in sweat can be replaced by normal salting of food at meals.
Providing Isotonic Beverages
A person may sweat away as much as three gallons of fluid that is essential for normal body functioning without feeling thirsty. Isotonic beverages should be provided at all times-free of charge-to replace vital salts and fluids lost through perspiration. Gatorade is one brand name. Get your company to buy some.
A Work-Rest Regimen
A work-rest regimen has been developed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Based on many workplace studies conducted by industrial hygienists, ACGIH states that these guidelines should be followed to reduce the incidence of the serious health effects caused by heat stress:
Work-Rest Regimen |
Work Load |
| Continuous Work | Light -- 86 degrees F |
| 75% work/25% rest each hour | Light -- 87 degrees F Moderate -- 82 degrees F Heavy -- 79 degrees F |
| 50% work/50% rest each hour | Light -- 89 degrees F |
| 25% work/75% rest each hour | Light -- 90 degrees F Moderate -- 88 degrees F Heavy -- 86 degrees F |
* All temperatures are WBGT
During these rest periods, cool places should be provided. Rest is important because it gives the body an opportunity to get rid of excess heat, slows down the production of internal heat and provides greater blood flow to the skin (a natural cooling mechanism).
NOTE: Although temperature extremes, such as heat, present serious health problems for workers, there is no OSHA standard at this time. The best chance for success in prevention is through a strong union health and safety committee.