Preventing Occupational Hazards due to Heat Stress in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s warm and humid climate can create health and safety challenges for workers in many outdoor occupations. However, heat stress is not just a concern for those with outdoor occupations. A number of indoor occupations can also expose workers to thermal stressors if there is poor ventilation or a lack of air conditioning, workers have regular contact with heated objects or radiant heat sources, or due to physical activities that are part of the job. 
 
Exposure to extreme heat or working in a hot environment can put anyone at risk of heat stress, potentially resulting in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat rashes. In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reveals that millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in the workplace. OSHA goes on to state that although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, every year, thousands become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some cases are fatal.
 
“Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors, and can happen during any time of year if conditions are right,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Some of the occupational risk factors for heat illness listed by OSHA include heavy physical activity, warm or hot environmental conditions, lack of acclimatization, and wearing clothing that holds in body heat. To help protect workers, NIOSH recommends employers reduce workplace heat stress by implementing engineering and work practice controls; training workers; ensuring workers are acclimatized before they work in a hot environment; providing the means for appropriate hydration; and ensuring and encouraging workers to take appropriate rest breaks to cool down and hydrate.”
 
To assist employers in Puerto Rico with providing a safe work environment, as required by law, Zimmetry Environmental offers industrial hygiene consulting services to help minimize worker exposures to temperature extremes and other occupational hazards. Their industrial hygienists offer comprehensive occupational testing, monitoring and training services. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about heat stress and the work environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/25NUviXBpTc
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail