Maintaining compliance with the variety of ever-changing standards governing occupational health and safety is crucial in the O&G industry.
Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 85° can lead to cramps, exhaustion, stroke and even death. Teams work hard for hours at a time in hot conditions, whether on the line or on the derrick. Preparation against the brutal summer heat should be a top priority this summer.
Workers should not be put in a position where they have to make a difficult choice between their personal comfort and their safety on the job. Preventing heat-related illness while remaining compliant is possible when thoughtful and proactive measures are taken ahead of time.
To encourage compliance while reducing the risk of heat stress, remember to:
Hydrate and rehydrate
Providing adequate hydration is critical to maintaining the body’s natural temperature and facilitating perspiration. Make sure teams always have access to plenty of cool drinking water whenever they’re out on the job.
Find shade
A shaded area, whether under a tree or a portable cooling tent, can offer respite from the sun and rejuvenate workers. If possible, scheduling shifts that allow workers to be on the job during the coolest hours of the day can go a long way toward preventing heat stress.
Choose the right PPE
Perhaps one of the most challenging factors in the fight against heat stress is PPE. PPE is built to protect and not for lounging. But there is a middle ground — specify PPE garments that are made from lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. Knowing exactly the right level of protection — down to the weight of the fabric — is also critical in this process. Even just a few ounces can create a world of difference to a worker’s comfort when they’re out battling the elements.
In addition to the perennial concern of heat stress is keeping track of the frequent updates to standards and regulations. For example, the updated National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112-23 flash fire safety standard was recently released. This standard is crucial to ensuring workers’ PPE garments are made to stand up to flash fires and protect them from the horrendous damage they can induce. More specifically, NFPA 2112 involves testing for heat transfer performance, vertical flame testing, industrial wash durability testing and heat and thermal shrinkage testing — all of which go toward determining whether or not the fabric the garment is made from is truly flame resistant.
Becoming knowledgeable of the NFPA 2112 changes and any applicable standards going forward, grants peace of mind and helps ensure compliance. These standards are updated with worker safety in mind, but it’s up to safety specifiers to make sure they’re upheld on the job.
GlenGuard stays current on standard updates and changes so that workers are protected. The company is constantly innovating to offer lighter, more comfortable fabrics that combat hot summer temperatures which are increasingly becoming more of a threat and concern.
For more information, visit glenguard.com.
