Working Outside in Warmer Weather

Working in warmer weather brings along some unique challenges—including the risk of sunburn, heat stroke and bug bites—that can make you sick. Whether outdoor work is an everyday occurrence or a rarity, it is important to be prepared and stay safe while working outdoors.

Physical Hazards

·        Extreme heat: Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash are all common, yet dangerous, signals that your body is too warm. Watch out for high temperatures, severe humidity and limited air movement, which may lead to these conditions. Be especially careful if you are engaging in physical activity, you are in poor physical condition, are taking medication or are unusually intolerant of hot workplaces.

·        Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Even when it’s cloudy, you are still at risk of damaging your skin. Protect yourself from UV rays by covering up in tightly-woven clothing, using sunscreen before going outside, wearing a protective hat and UV-absorbent glasses, and limiting sun exposure, if possible.

·        Lightning storms: Lightning storms can be extremely dangerous to outdoor workers because of the risk of a direct strike, conducted current, ground voltage radiation or fallen debris. Watch for storms and know when to seek shelter.

Biological Hazards

·        Mosquitoes: To protect yourself from disease spread by mosquitoes, such as West Nile virus, cover any cut or scraped skin and wear repellent or thick clothing.

·        Ticks: If you work outside, wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, a hat and repellents. Take extra care to wear protective clothing in the peak activity months, which are June through August.

·        Snakes: If you work in areas with tall grass, brush or leaf or wood piles, it’s wise to educate yourself about the types of poisonous snakes in your geographic region. If you have been bitten, seek medical attention even if you know the snake is not poisonous. Carefully note the snake’s color(s) and shape to help with the treatment process.

·        Stinging insects: To prevent being stung by an insect, avoid wearing cologne or perfume and refrain from scented toiletries. Be sure to bathe daily and wear clean clothing, as sweat often attracts stinging insects.

·        Spiders: Prepare yourself for outdoor work by being able to easily identify the three types of venomous spiders found in the United States, which are the black widow, brown recluse and hobo (also known as violin) spiders.

·        Scorpions: If you work in an area where scorpions abound, wear long sleeves, pants and leather gloves, and always shake out your clothing and shoes before putting them on.

·        Poisonous plants: Be aware that direct contact with poisonous plants is one way to be exposed, but touching tools that have had direct contact or inhaling particles from burning plants are other hazards.

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