Chipper/Shredder Safety – 21
Heat Stress
You can become seriously ill or die if you do not take the proper
precautions while working in high temperatures and humidity. Heat
can reduce physical performance, as well as mental alertness, causing
more accidents.
Heat Facts
4
You are more likely to suffer from a heat related illness on humid
days.
4
If you are not used to working in the heat, you are more likely to
suffer from a heat related illness. It can take your body anywhere
from 5 days to 2 weeks to be acclimated to working in the heat.
It is recommended that new workers who begin in hot, humid
weather, start out by working half of the normal time and work-
load on the first day and then build up to a complete day by the
end of the week.
4
You are more vulnerable to heat illness if you have suffered from
it in the past.
4
During the course of the day, you can produce as much as two to
three gallons of sweat. Replenish this fluid by drinking liquids so
that you do not suffer from a heat related illness.
Environmental
Hazards
Lesson 5
Objectives
1. Identify environmental hazards.
2. Recognize treatment and first aid
for exposure to environmental
hazards.
Summary of OSHA Accident Inspection 014444699
An employee was dragging tree branches and feeding them into
the chipper. Shortly before noon, the temperature had risen into
the 80s. The employee became overheated and collapsed. He was
taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead due to heat
stroke.
Take frequent, short breaks and drink plenty of water
to keep yourself cool and hydrated.
Accident Report
Employee Dies of Heat Stroke
