It’s summertime. And it is ridiculously hot. That’s not a news flash, right? What is news, though, are important changes coming that HOAs and property managers need to know about. Heat stress has been in the news more frequently the past few years. As a result, OSHA has updated standards for how employees should be protected.
We’re providing all the tips you need to pass along to your residents, staff, and service providers to keep them safe from dangerous and sometimes deadly heat stress. You may not be aware of it, but even the official Heat Index is not the best way to judge when it’s too hot to work.
At Yellowstone Landscape, we’re in a unique position to offer some suggestions that should help anyone working in hot conditions safeguard their health. With our landscape crews spanning the U.S., many in desert climates, we have experience getting the job done with excellence, while mitigating the effects of heat stress on our people.
Understanding Heat Stress, Heat Stroke and Exposure
We’ve written many articles about heat stress and its detrimental effect on plants, shrubs, and trees. The truth is many of the factors that exacerbate heat stress in plant life also affect humans’ ability to handle heat.
People can become overheated when working outside during extreme temperatures. However, humidity and wind play a role in how high temps affect people during those hot days. Then, you also have to factor in clothing, which we’ll talk about in a moment.
Indoor employees are not immune to heat stress or heat stroke either. It may surprise some folks that not every facility has air conditioning or proper ventilation. These indoor employees can easily overheat during the summer. Their risks rise when working around hot machinery like furnaces and welders.
Another factor for inside and outside staff? Level of workload.
Demanding physical activity causes body heat to spike and OSHA reports heat stress has killed workers at relatively moderate temperatures of 86 degrees! And just like the age and health of a plant affect its ability to withstand harsh heat, the same is true for people.
New OSHA Standards
OSHA takes heat stress seriously. Rightly so, since extreme heat can be as deadly as an overturned forklift or a steel beam crashing down. OSHA recommends a special device to help employers monitor dangerous heat situations. The device is called a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitor.
The devices are a step above other heat measurements because they account for all four major environmental heat factors:
- Air temperature
- Humidity
- Radiant heat (sun or artificial heat sources)
- Air movement
OSHA aims to reduce health risks with these monitors that are more precise than the official National Weather Heat Index. A weather station reporting the Heat Index is accurate but it can’t be exact for a warehouse nine miles away (even less precise if the warehouse is in direct sunlight). By the way, direct sunlight can raise temps by 13.5 degrees.
Creating Shaded Areas for Residents
Following OSHA rules and our own safety policies, Yellowstone Landscape constantly reminds our employees to hydrate, seek shade, and watch out for each other during extreme heat. Getting a little hot can turn into serious heat stress and then life-threatening heat stroke.
Prevention is the key and that’s why you’ll see our crew members taking breaks in the shade or in air conditioned vehicles. This is no different than wearing safety glasses to protect their eyes from debris.
Heat exhaustion can be deadly, and it’s one reason we encourage clients to investigate adding shade to their commercial properties. Shade trees, pergolas, and awnings are a blessing in June, July, and August, and are potentially life-savers in extreme conditions.
Luckily, there are more shade options in beautiful styles than ever and fast-growing trees are widely available.
Remind your residents and staff to find a shady spot before they start feeling too hot.
Once your body hits a certain temperature, medical attention may be the only cure. This is even more important to pass along to family members of older relatives who are more susceptible to heat stress.
Shade isn’t all you can add to protect people on your property, though.
Hydration Stations and Cooling Areas
Not only are hydration stations and cool-down spots needed but so is the awareness that these areas are available. A water fountain, misting station, or fan-cooled gazebo that residents don’t know about can’t do much good.
More residents will be able to stay cool and perhaps increase the overall use of outdoor areas on hot days if they know there are ways to cool off quickly. Near the end of this article, you’ll find a few tips on getting the word out (including a heat-beating invention).
Five hydration facts you can share with HOA residents and staff:
- National Academies of Sciences recommends 16 cups of fluids for men and 11 for women daily
- Fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, and infrequent urination are signs of dehydration
- Certain foods help hydration (e.g., cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, and strawberries)
- Use a smartphone alarm as a water intake reminder
- Alcohol and caffeinated drinks can contribute to dehydration
Yellowstone Crews Know the Importance of Hydration
Our frontline crews are incredibly hard workers and dedicated too. So we have to ensure they take lots of breaks during extreme heat waves.
When possible, it’s best to work in the coolest part of the day. Encourage your workers, residents, and guests to get a headstart on the heat (even lounging at the pool can end badly with sun poisoning).
And when the sun is high in the sky, follow the lead of Yellowstone’s weather-wise employees who wear long sleeves, long pants, and large-brimmed hats. Shorts and t-shirts may seem logical when it’s blazing hot, but clothing that covers the skin protects people from heat and sun exposure.
Many of today’s stylish clothing lines are designed to block UV rays while regulating body temps. You may have seen ultra-marathoners and fishermen wearing this functional apparel.
Communication Education and Involvement
We mentioned creating awareness for hydration stations and cooling areas. The same effort is needed to help your community understand the broader importance of preventing heat stress.
Don’t underestimate the value of new education on the matter.
For example, it’s a good bet that most of your HOA residents don’t know wearable ice vests exist. These cool inventions are exactly what they sound like and come in various designs. One of the more impressive ice vests was created by an entrepreneur who sold a ton of them to a restaurant chain to keep their outdoor drive-thru workers safe from the heat.
Fresh news like this helps get your community involved. After all, they appreciate being in the know about ways to protect themselves and their loved ones from dangerous heat waves. New ideas to beat the heat might give them more time to enjoy their garden, patio, and walking trails.
Other ways to get resident and employee engagement include:
- Workshops on preventing heat stress
- Handing out educational materials (quick, easy-to-read materials)
- Involve local schools in heat stress prevention (awareness for summer sports especially)
Conclusion
At Yellowstone Landscape, we know the dangers of heat stress in humans and plants. Landscape elements can be replaced or nursed back to health. However, you never want to risk a human life when it comes to preventable health risks
Heat stress is a serious problem that’s getting worse in many parts of the country. OSHA’s new standards highlight the threat of extreme heat on people today, whether working inside or outside. These new standards remind us that other factors besides temperature affect people’s ability to handle hot environments.
Luckily, we can overcome many of these factors with careful planning. Adding shade, hydration stations, and cooling areas are just a few ways to protect community members while they enjoy the summertime outdoors. The key is to ramp up awareness of hazardous heat stress and remind everyone about all the ways to stay safe.
Yellowstone is here to ensure your HOA community remains safe, comfortable, and vibrant during the scorching summer months. Contact us for a comprehensive consultation on creating a heat-resilient and safe community landscape.
