Search

Soaring Temperatures Increase Risk of Contact Burns

Posted on 8/11/2023 by Nick Waldron

This summer heat has been relentless for both indoor and outdoor workers in 2023. As we enter the dog days of what NASA says is the hottest summer on record since 1880, the risk of heat-related illness and strategies to protect employees should be familiar to health & safety leaders.

Data from employers compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that hundreds of workers have lost their lives as a result of environmental heat exposure since 2011 (BLS.gov). 

OSHA Hazard Alert: Extreme Heat Can Be Deadly to Workers

Extreme Heat and "Contact Burns"

In Phoenix, Arizona, residents recent felt air temperatures reach nearly 120 degrees. In those conditions, direct sunlight can "superheat" surfaces to 50-60 degrees hotter than the air.  

As temperatures increase, hospitals see more admissions for "contact burns." These are burns that can occur when a person's skin contacts a superheated surface, even for a short time. The more prolonged the contact with the surface, the worse the burns, which reportedly are as severe second- and third-degree.

In early July, a person in Las Vegas suffered third-degree burns after sitting on the pavement in jeans for 40 minutes while waiting for a bus (NBC News).

"OSHA does consider exposed heated surfaces, if there is a potential for injury, to be a hazard and will issue citations if employees can come into contact with such surfaces."

OSHA Letter of Interpretation, 1998

hot-doorknob-blog-(1).jpg

In addition to controls that address the environmental hazards of extreme heat, safety and IH professionals must protect employees who work in proximity to metal pipes, railings, stairways, equipment, containers, tanks, asphalt, or other surfaces that may become extremely hot when exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. 

Other Risks Increase with Temperature 

The rate of workplace injury and illness overall increases 6 to 9 percent when temperatures exceed 90 degrees, compared to temperatures in the 50s or 60s.

That rate increases by 10–15% when the temperature is over 100 degrees (UCLA.edu). Incidents that seem unrelated to heat—like falling off a ladder or getting a hand caught in machinery—occur more often in high temperatures, too (Forbes).

OSHA initiated a new rulemaking (RIN 1218-AD39) to address heat illness in indoor and outdoor settings in late 2021, and aimed to begin reviewing the issue with a small business panel this month (August 2023). 

Take Action to Protect Workers

The Federal government launched Heat.gov to distribute information on the impact of extreme heat. On the site, you can find more information about who is at risk and find a variety of heat-related resources for workers.

Lion offers online OSHA Heat Illness Prevention training for supervisors and employees, in English and Spanish. The courses prepare individuals to recognize and protect themselves from the effects of heat stress, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion, and other heat-related injuries and illnesses.

Tags: Heat hazards, heat illness, osha

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.