Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

STAY COOL

Hot weather can put outdoor workers at risk: WorkSafeBC

Aug 17, 2020 | 4:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — According to WorkSafeBC, outdoor workers are three and half times more likely than indoor workers to develop skin cancer. They are also at a significantly higher risk of experiencing heat stress. Today, we sent Adam Donnelly out to see what local outdoor work crews are doing to help keep their workers safe when the thermometer hits the high-30’s

“I was tree planting probably fifteen years ago, and I got heat stroke,” Dan Cookson, Foreman at Lyons Landscaping, tells CFJC Today.

If you work outdoors in Kamloops’ summer, there’s a good chance you’ve suffered from heat stress. Cookson clearly remembers what that feels like.

“Lightheaded, faint. I felt nauseous. I was out for a few days, I couldn’t work,” Cookson explains. “It’s not a pleasant experience.”

According to WorkSafeBC, Dan works in one of the top outdoor professions when it comes to high UV exposure. When you work in the sun, it’s essential to be aware of the effects that star can have on a person.

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“You need to be aware of the impact the heat can have on your body,” Barry Nakahara, Senior Manager with WorkSafeBC, suggests.

On a sweltering summer day, Nakahara suggests several simple solutions to help keep you safe from the sun.

“Keeping yourself hydrated, dressing appropriately for the conditions and not overworking yourself in those conditions,” Nakahara says. “Taking breaks where you need. Arranging your work so you can do it in cooler parts of the day. All are approaches you can take to avoid getting yourself into trouble.”

Along with those strategies, Dan makes sure his crew is looking out for each other.

“Keep an eye on the guys that you’re working with. If they show any signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion or even dehydrations, just be right on top of it,” Cookson says. “Hand them a bottle of water, or even tap them on the shoulder and tell them to go grab a drink. People can drop in this type of weather pretty quickly if you’re not on top of it.”