OSHA gives heat safety tips as high temperatures impact businesses and employees

(Bismarck, ND) -- Experts in workplace safety are keeping the high temperatures in the forefront, and are reminding businesses and employees to keep their health in mind as temps can play a harmful role in workplace safety.

WDAY Radio reached out to OSHA for heat-related safety tips, as temperatures spiked in recent weeks. Experts say the best thing to have on hand is a heat-illness prevention plan, which considers potential medical emergencies, prevention of illness caused by high-temperatures, and encouraging a dialogue between the employer and employee when concerns are found.

"Heat illnesses can affect anyone, anytime, regardless of their age or their physical condition... "said Travis Clark, OSHA's Assistant Area Director in Bismarck. "There are several indicators. Tiredness, if you start to feel weak, lightheaded, dizziness, headache, an increase in thirst, if you are having a decrease in your urine output, you may become nauseous or vomit, heavy sweating - and in the extremes, you become hot and your skin gets dry."

Clark says employees have the right to alert their employer if they are not providing adequate shade, water, and breaks. Clark says if that fails, he recommends speaking with an OSHA representative if there is any additional concern for safety. Additional resources from OSHA regarding heat related illnesses can be found here.