OSHA, Astronomy, and Technology

The expression “dog days of summer” is often used to refer to the time of year when temperatures are at their highest. This phrase actually comes from an astronomical coincidence. Many ancient civilizations believed the high daily temperatures were somehow connected or resulted from the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. While this connection between high temperatures and astronomical events was accurate in the past, it is no longer necessarily the case. This does not mean, however, that the phrase is not still appropriate for those days when the mercury climbs past 90°F and the humidity is about the same.

So, how does OSHA factor into this little history lesson? OSHA always wants workers to be protected and safe. Working in high temperature conditions can have a big impact on worker safety. When the human body no longer has the ability to maintain a normal temperature various heat-related health problems can develop.

According to WebMD, the most common heat-related illnesses include:

1. Heat rash (prickly heat), which occurs when the sweat ducts to the skin become blocked or swell, causing discomfort and itching.
2. Heat cramps, which occur in muscles after exercise because sweating causes the body to lose water, salt, and minerals (electrolytes).
3. Heat edema (swelling) in the legs and hands, which can occur when you sit or stand for a long time in a hot environment.
4. Heat tetany (hyperventilation and heat stress), which is usually caused by short periods of stress in a hot environment.
5. Heat syncope (fainting), which occurs from low blood pressure when heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate) and body fluids move into the legs because of gravity.
6. Heat exhaustion (heat prostration), which generally develops when a person is working or exercising in hot weather and does not drink enough liquids to replace those lost liquids.
7. Heatstroke (sunstroke), which occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and body temperature continues to rise, often to 105°F (40.6°C) or higher. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Even with immediate treatment, it can be life-threatening or cause serious long-term problems.

In order to prevent any of the above from happening, OSHA developed a Heat Safety Tool and just recently released an update to it. This application, or app, can be added to any Android or iPhone for free. It is available in both English and Spanish. This application calculates the heat index at a particular site and sends out reminders about taking breaks and staying hydrated. The application will also indicate if a location is a “high risk zone” so that people can plan accordingly. This application can also be used at home and on vacation. See the sample screen shot taken from a standard smartphone.

Visit your app store today before the dog days of summer get you.

Available on iTunes & Google Play.

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