We have all said it, or heard it this year…..It is downright HOT!
With high humidity to go with it, this creates a challenging environment for flight line supervisors to protect employees from heat-related stress and illnesses.
A review of Best Practices for managing heat stress includes:
- Maintaining appropriate work / rest cycles with suitable rest areas in the shade to cool down
- Providing ample water and electrolyte replacement drinks
- Close monitoring of temperature and humidity in the workplace – preferably with a WBGT (wet bulb globe thermometer)
- Awareness of the signs and symptoms of heat stress and heat-related illness present or developing with employees
- Emergency medical response when needed
The Flightline is a busy place and most of the work activities involve exertion by support personnel. The fast pace of work, noisy environment, and personal protective equipment required only increase the stresses endured by employees.
High-visibility vests have been the norm on the flightline for years and compliance is mandatory. However, these garments have added another layer of material that can increase body temperatures for employees engaged in heavy exertion activities. Fortunately, technological advances in evaporative and supplemental cooling materials have made their way into the manufacture of high-visibility clothing options.
Most major and popular manufacturers of safety clothing now offer high-visibility vests that include evaporative cooling technology. These vests are usually submerged in cool water prior to use and can provide up to 8 hours of evaporative cooling for the employee. Lower body core temperatures protect employees from developing heat-related illnesses, increase efficiency, and provide comfort leading to increased morale. These benefits far outweigh any additional costs for upgrading your PPE to include evaporative cooling technology.
Our Beacon Aviation Risk Manager, Bill Stinson, noted “Use of such cooling safety vests should be a frequent risk control recommendation for flightline personnel. I’ve worn them in the field and can testify as to their effectiveness. It is being creative with PPE for visibility and providing the additional body cooling attributes that would be welcome by employees and would lead to increased compliance in wearing due to the additional benefits to comfort.”
Heat-related illness in the workplace has been targeted by OSHA for increased oversight and potential rule-making.
Support Activities for Air Transportation and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing have been designated as two of the top 70 key work activities/industries being reviewed by OSHA for additional attention through a National Emphasis Program (NEP) on April 12, 2022. This means that OSHA is increasing workplace inspections on 80 degrees Fahrenheit + Heat Index days.
Taking steps listed above and implementing evaporative cooling technology to your PPE will help protect your flightline personnel from heat related illnesses as well as other injuries and accidents resulting from uncomfortable or distracted employees.
For more information on the OSHA NEP, PPE with Evaporative Cooling Technology, and protecting employees from heat-related illnesses, see the helpful links below.
https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking
https://www.osha.gov/heat/sbrefa
https://www.industrialsafetygear.com/Pyramex-CV200-Series-Cooling-Vest–Lemon-Lime_p_7669.html
