Business & Finance Business Insurance

Recognize Heat Illness When It Hits Workers

September may be here, but high temperatures and/or humidity on many days seem to convey that Mother Nature believes its still the middle of summer. With the mercury continuing to soar, its important to keep in mind that workers can get dangerously overheated. Take some time for safety training in MA that addresses the very real risk of heat illness. This dangerous condition can cause major bodily organs to shut down, resulting in damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys; muscle damage, blood disorders, and nervous system damage. If unchecked, heat illness can be deadly.

Sun, heat, and humidity are the culprits

Heat illness is considered to be among the most serious dangers that can affect the health and safety of a firms workers, yet it is largely preventable. Every year, especially in the hotter months, workers die from heat stroke. If a business owner or manager has staff who spend most of their time working outdoors, performing hard physical labor under the hot sune.g., groundskeepers, construction workers, pool attendants, valets, and other service stafftake time to realize the signs of impending heat illness.

Know the warning signs

  • Headache, or feelings of dizziness

  • Fainting

  • Disorientation, confusion or irritability

  • Thirst

  • Muscle weakness

  • Skin that is wet to the touch

  • Nausea or vomiting


  • Any of these symptoms can advance into full-blown heat stroke, where the employee could become increasingly confused, pass out, and/or have seizures. An accident may result as well, because heat illness victims are often less alert and in their confusion have an accident. Be ready to call 911 but in the meantime, make sure several staff members are professionally trained to recognize and treat heat illness.

    Safety training could help save a life

    Make no mistake, the danger from heat illness can be a matter of life and death. The experience of seeing a coworker severely injured or killed at work can wreak havoc on ones business, not only from a personal accountability standpoint but from a liability standpoint. The distress among other staff members may be so great that morale is permanently damaged.
    Talk to a professional insurance agent about safety training in MA regarding heat illness, as well as other dangers that exist year-round. An agent can help establish a comprehensive program offering a wide variety of protection for the business, as well as suggest strategies that put the focus on safety for the employees who perform many of their duties under the suns rays. Call an agent today to learn more.

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