Temporary Staffing – Hot Weather Risks
When the weather is warm and their permanent employees are taking time off for the summer, companies may hire temporary workers to fill in. While temporary employees play a large role in maintaining productivity during the slower summer months, working in hot conditions can lead to health issues.
This is especially true for temporary staffing workers in industries like construction, roofing, tree trimming, or any other outdoor work, as well in indoor facilities like warehouses or recycling plants.
What are Heat-Related Illnesses?
When a temporary employee works in hot conditions, it can lead to a variety of health issues and injuries. Some of the most common heat-related injuries and conditions include:
- Heat stroke
- Heat rash
- Heat cramps
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Heat syncope, or fainting caused by heat
- Skin irritation
- Dehydration
In some cases, heat-related illness can cause minor symptoms, which can be treated with rest or shade. However, heat illnesses can also be life-threatening, especially if they are not properly treated. For example, heat stroke can lead to complications like seizures, altered mental states, or loss of consciousness.
Heat illness that cause a loss of consciousness, like heat stroke or heat syncope, can also increase the risk of falling injuries, which can be very dangerous for temporary workers in industries like roofing, construction, and tree trimming.
Preventing Heat Illnesses and Injuries
If you’re a temporary staffing industry business owner looking for protect your employees from heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, here are some steps you can take.
- Safety Training
If your employees are working in industries with a high risk of heat-related injuries, make sure they are properly trained on preventing and identifying heat stroke and other illnesses. - Encouraging Hydration
Staying hydrated is an important part of heat safety, especially when it comes to preventing dehydration. - Scheduled Breaks
Breaks are at integral part of preventing heat illnesses, so make sure to implement policies that allow for regular breaks. - Emergency Response
Have a policy in place to promptly and safely address heat-related illnesses and injuries, so you can address illnesses before they cause more serious harm - Weather Monitoring
Stay up-to-date on the weather and any emergency weather alerts, so you can take the steps to protect your workers on especially warm days.
Finding Workers’ Compensation
Another day to support your employees is to offer strong Workers’ Compensation coverage to help them navigate heat-related illnesses and other occupational illnesses and injuries. However, it can be difficult to find the right Workers’ Compensation coverage, especially if your employees fill roles in high-risk industries like tree trimming, agriculture, or recycling.
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help temporary staffing business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions. To learn more about our services and how we can help your temporary staffing business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
