A heat wave like the one New Brunswick has been experiencing can be especially dangerous to those who are working outside in hot, humid temperatures.
WorkSafeNB is urging workers to take precautions to stay safe in this weather.
Chief compliance officer Richard Blais says examples include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and taking periodic breaks.
Blais tells us employers have a legal responsibility to protect their workers from the effects of excessive heat and that some of the responsibilities include taking measurements of the temperatures in the work environment.
“The other things that employers would be required to do would be to instruct their employees on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of excessive heat and also what they would need to do to mitigate those effects,” says Blais.
“Lastly, there is a requirement to provide water and make sure water is readily available.”
According to WorkSafeNB, those who work in the forestry industry have some of the highest rates of heat stress.
Drink plenty of fluids when it’s hot out. Avoid energy drinks and sodas that are high in sugar. They can speed up the dehydration process. pic.twitter.com/GwQBQFFD69
— Ambulance NB (@AmbulanceNB_en) July 5, 2018
