Proforma Safety Blog

Diabetics At Higher Risk During Hot Weather

Posted by proforma on July 24, 2011  |  No Comments

Whether a loved one has diabetes, or you have employees who suffer from the disease, you’ll want to advise them of dangers associated with hot weather. Diabetes makes it harder for your body to handle high heat and humidity. Air pollution also poses increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Blood glucose levels are affected by heat, increasing the absorption of insulin, requiring diabetics to test blood glucose more often and regulate their intake of food and liquids.

Read an excellent article on the CDC website.

If There’s a Red Flag: No Strenuous Exercise Allowed

Posted by proforma on October 8, 2009  |  No Comments

Now here is something really interesting, if you want to monitor heat stress at your work site.

In order to monitor heat and humidity, the U.S. Navy started using a Wet Bulb Dry Globe Temperature (WBGT) meter. The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) and Naval Sea Systems Command Smart Ship initiative simplified the process of monitoring heat stress conditions on board Navy ships (see related story). The meter continuously records real time data on ambient dry/wet bulb temperatures, radiant heat globe temperature, and relative humidity, which is then transmitted to a PC for graphical representation and guidance on exposure. Hazard warning flags are then posted to advise personnel. If you’re interested in learning more, click here. You might find something you can create at your own site.

Mike Arnold Interviewed by EHS Today on Heat Stress

Posted by proforma on May 1, 2008  |  No Comments

EHS Today, the magazine for environmental, health and safety leaders, in this article, “Creating a Pipeline to Heat Stress Prevention.”

Mike talked about workers having to handle metal equipment, stand on steel decks and walk around steel structures in areas that heat up very quickly. He recommends that oil and gas and petrochemical companies implement safeguards such as installing insulation and barriers like wire mesh to protect workers from heat exposure burns.

Arnold also says he watches very closely when his clients’ drilling rigs are located in wooded areas. This can become a risky situation, he says, as tall trees can block the breeze and produce a work environment filled with stagnant, hot air.

“These are certainly areas and situations companies should be vigilant about,” Arnold says.