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New EPA Standard Includes Heat Stress Management

Among requirements of the revised federal Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides, which was published in August 1992 and is scheduled for full implementation by April 15, 1994, are provisions for heat stress management. Heat stress can be a severe problem for agricultural workers, especially those who need to wear protective gear. The new standard developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes a requirement that pesticide handlers and "early entry" workers (those who go into an area while entry is restricted after pesticide treatment) be instructed in the prevention, recognition, and first-aid treatment of heat illness. Appropriate measures to prevent heat illness are to be taken, if necessary, before those employees begin working. EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plan to release a guide and a variety of training materials in November to help employers train workers and supervisors in controlling heat stress and recognizing, preventing, and treating heat illnesses. The following information is based on a draft of the guide.

According to the EPA, an average of nearly 500 people die each year in the United States from the effects of heat. During a heat wave in 1980, over 1,700 people died from heat-related illness. More than 20 percent of people afflicted by heat stroke die, even young, healthy adults. Less extreme forms of heat illness affect very many more people, often at work. Heat stress can cause weakness, fatigue, reduced alertness, and impaired judgment and may be an underlying cause of other types of illness and injury on the job.

The EPA advises employers to take into account the weather, workload, protective gear to be worn, and condition of the workers in devising basic preventive measures. The danger of heat stress increases with higher temperature and humidity, under direct sunlight, during heavy work, and with use of protective equipment and clothing, especially coated and nonwoven synthetic garments. Workers' susceptibility also increases with age, lack of rest, lack of physical fitness, and use of certain drugs and medications, but even persons in good shape can become seriously ill from heat. Those who gradually adjust to working in a warm or hot environment are less likely to become ill.

Employers are also advised to make sure workers drink enough water and to adjust work practices for the conditions of each day. For example, heavy work and pesticide handling might be scheduled for the cooler hours, and work/rest cycles could be set up.

If workers become too hot despite precautions, the EPA suggests shortening the work periods and lengthening the rest periods and providing shade or cooling by awnings, cooling vests, hats, and the like. Less fit workers could be assigned to lighter work. It might be necessary to halt work altogether under extreme conditions.

Early recognition and immediate treatment are the keys to first aid for heat illness. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, headache, fatigue, dry mouth, fast pulse (if conscious), dilated pupils, nausea, confusion, and dizziness. Heat stroke, a medical emergency, often occurs suddenly and includes dizziness, confusion, irrational behavior, and coma. Sweating may slow down or stop; the pulse is fast, if the person is conscious, and breathing is rapid; nausea and convulsions may occur.

Treatment for overheating includes having the affected person rest in a cool, shaded area and drink plenty of water. If a worker gets heat stroke, body temperature has to be lowered as rapidly as possible to avoid permanent damage. The recommendations are to place the worker in the shade, remove clothing, wrap him or her in a sheet, pour water on the sheet, and keep it wet. Cool the head with wet compresses, and fan the worker with a towel or large piece of cardboard. These procedures should be continued while the worker is being transported to medical care. If the heat stroke victim is a pesticide handler or early entry worker, possible contamination needs to be considered but it is important to not delay treatment in any case. Medical personnel can act most effectively if informed of the possibility of pesticide contamination.

More on the EPA Standard

Overall provisions of the revised federal Worker Protection Standard in general cover display of information at a central location, pesticide safety training, decontamination sites, exchange of information between growers and employers of commercial pesticide handlers, emergency assistance, notice of applications, monitoring of handlers using highly toxic pesticides, specific instructions for handlers, equipment safety, duties related to personal protective equipment, duties related to early entry, and special application restrictions in nurseries and greenhouses. California is revising its pesticide safety regulations to conform to federal guidelines; the California revisions are also anticipated to take effect by next April.

Upon request, EPA will send information on the revised Worker Protection Standard, including a bulletin summarizing the provisions for users of agricultural pesticides. [NOTE: Where state regulations are more restrictive than the Worker Protection Standard, the state regulations will supersede the federal standard.]

In November, A Guide to Heat Stress in Agriculture, a summary in English and Spanish, and training materials will be available. For information, contact Katherine H. Rudolph, Life Scientist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street (A-4-5), San Francisco, CA 94105-3901 (phone 415/744-1065; FAX 415/744-1073).

 

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