| Don't get beat by the heat
or other summer hazards
Warm summer months usually mean "summer vacation" for many school employees. For others it means more outdoor activities and exposure to risks.
The risks of heat-related illnesses, lightning strikes and insect-borne diseases reach their peak during the summer.
If your employees work outside you can reduce risks by making them aware of the hazards.
Heat-related illnesses
Occur when internal body temperature increases and the body cannot cool itself. |
| To help prevent heat-related illnesses: |
- Train employees on the signs and symptoms.
- Schedule work to provide breaks from the heat.
- Provide easy access to cool drinking water.
- Ensure employees get help if necessary.
- Provide other means for cooling off.
|
| Encourage employees to: |
- Acclimate themselves to the heat.
- Perform heaviest work at coolest time of day.
- Limit exposure to heat by taking frequent short breaks in cooler areas.
- Drink plenty of cool water.
- Wear light, loose fitting clothing to keep cool.
- Avoid eating big meals before working.
- Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages.
- Work in pairs, so employees can watch out for each other.
|
Lightning strikes
An average of 73 people per year have been killed by lightning strikes over the past 30 years, and another 300 people are injured every year.
High winds, rain, and dark clouds are all warning signs of thunderstorms, and therefore of potential lightning strikes. |
| During thunderstorm season: |
- Monitor weather forecasts and adjust activities.
- Establish emergency plans for employees.
- Train about those plans, and how to seek shelter in an emergency.
|
| Encourage employees to: |
- Find a low area. Lightning strikes the tallest objects.
- Crouch down to reduce risk of being struck.
- Never take shelter under, and stay at least six feet away from any tall object.
|
Insect-borne diseases
Diseases carried by insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, pose summertime hazards even though infection is unlikely from any individual insect bite.
Lyme disease is typically transmitted by the deer tick, which is found in grassy areas and woods.
To transmit Lyme disease, a tick must be attached for at least 12 hours, so routine checks immediately after outdoor exposure help prevent transmission. Remove ticks as soon as possible. |
| Encourage employees to: |
- Avoid tall grass and shrubs.
- Wear long pants, sleeves, shoes and a hat.
- Wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to see.
- Remove brush piles.
- Use effective bug repellents.
|
West Nile Virus
Transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. The incubation period is three to 15 days. |
| Encourage employees to: |
- Work indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.
- Wear long pants and sleeves outdoors.
- Spray clothing with a repellent containing DEET.
|
Remember:
Although the chances of these summertime hazards affecting any one employee are rare, the effects can be devastating. As summer approaches, schools can reduce the risk to outdoor employees by making them aware of the risks and encouraging the right practices. |
Advice from SFM's print publication
Assessing fiscal year-end results
You no doubt look at fiscal year-end results on key areas of your business. This year, consider looking at results relating to workers' compensation--or enhance your analysis if you do some already.
Find out more on page 6. |
|
Respond to injuries
Make sure your supervisors and staff know when and how to respond to and report a work-related injury.
Responsibilities include:
| 1. |
Duty to inquire.
If you see an accident or suspect an employee was hurt at work, ask questions. |
| 2. |
Tell the person in your school who handles claims. |
| 3. |
Direct the employee to the appropriate medical care. |
4.
|
Be prepared to give specific information
like the injured employee's name, job title, date, time and place of injury, etc. |
Check out supervisor tools for reporting tips. |
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