When your Affiliate schedules outdoor builds and maintenance during warm weather, it’s important to consider heat-related safety. It could mean the difference between a successful day and a medical emergency.
Help your affiliate employees and volunteers stay safe in the heat with these tips.
What to Know About Extreme Heat
Each year, extreme heat results in significantly more weather-related fatalities than extreme cold according to NOAA. Here’s what to remember:
- Temperatures can rise to extreme levels quickly and sometimes without warning.
- High humidity, measured with the heat index, makes it feel even hotter outside.
- Full sun exposure may feel up to 15º F hotter than the heat index, which is calibrated for breezy and shady conditions.
- Children, older adults and overweight individuals are at greater risk during hot weather.
The danger is highest during heat waves, when temperatures soar 10 degrees or more above average and combine with high humidity to last for days at a time. Weather forecasters have three categories to warn about potential heat waves:
- Excessive heat watch, meaning conditions are favorable for extreme heat to develop sometime in the next 3 days.
- Heat advisory, meaning meteorologists forecast local heat index values in the advisory range (for most areas, daytime highs of 100–105º F) for the next 1 to 2 days.
- Excessive heat warning, meaning meteorologists forecast local heat index values in the warning range (for most areas, daytime highs of 105–110º F) for at least 2 days.
How to Plan Summer Affiliate Activities Safely
When planning outdoor builds and maintenance, always take the potential for extreme heat risks into consideration:
- Check local weather forecasts for heat watches, advisories and warnings
- Pay attention to both temperature forecasts and heat index forecasts
- Remember events under full sun exposure may feel even hotter
- Plan for activities in the morning when possible
- Think about access to shade and places to cool off
- Discuss heat safety precautions with your staff and volunteer teams
- Restock your first aid kit and obtain portable kits if needed
- Schedule breaks to prevent overexertion
How to Ensure Affiliate Employees and Volunteers Stay Safe in the Heat
If it is hot the day of your build or maintenance, encourage your employees and volunteers to:
- Check for National Weather Service updates
- Drink plenty of fluids to help stay hydrated
- Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages which can cause dehydration
- Keep snacks light and avoid hot or filling meals
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing
- Take frequent breaks in a cool area indoors or in the shade
- Use the buddy system to ensure that no one is working alone in the heat
- Consider moving events indoors or rescheduling if there is a heat advisory or warning
Stay alert for signs of these heat-related illnesses:
- Heat cramps, which can include muscle pain or spasms in the arms, legs or abdomen. Move to a cool location, remove excess clothing and take sips of sports drinks with salt and sugar. Seek medical attention if cramps persist more than an hour.
- Heat exhaustion, which can include heavy sweating, paleness, cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting. Seek shelter in an air-conditioned area. Loosen or remove excess clothing, take sips of cool drinks with salt and sugar. Seek medical attention if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
- Heat stroke, which can include high body temperature, flushed skin, lack of sweating, rapid and strong pulse, confusion or unconsciousness. Call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room and try to cool the person down until help arrives.
Conclusion
Summer is an important time for affiliates to get projects and builds done, but it is crucial to ensure affiliate employees and volunteers stay safe in the heat.
If you have questions about protecting your employees and volunteers from the heat or other risks, the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Insurance Program, administered by Lockton Affinity, is here to help. Contact Lockton Affinity for support today.
