OSH 4308
Unit V Journal
Columbia Southern University
Advanced Concepts in Environmental Safety Management (OSH 4308)
Unit V Journal
An environment in which I have experienced potential thermal stressors is on a
construction site, during the mid-summer months in Orlando, Florida. The workers on the
construction site are exposed to an extremely hot environment, high humidity levels, and
a variety of potential heat-related injuries. These workers are required to be in long pants,
typically jeans, hard hats and a hi-visibility vest all while performing work that requires a
great deal of physical activity. Their clothing tends to increase the body’s heat storage.
These conditions then cause a physiological response in the body to increase heat loss, in
order to maintain a normal core-body temperature. The body does this through sweating
to cool off the skin through evaporation, and sending more blood to the surface of the
skin, such as the head, arms, and legs to allow heat to escape.
Construction work is very labor intensive and much of this work is being done in
an uncontrolled environment, such as a building with no air conditioning or in direct
sunlight. Sometimes these workers are exposed to additional heat sources such as
welding, torching, or grinding, which then requires these workers to don even more
personal protective equipment (PPE). Because of the many factors these workers face
with heat stress, there are a few measures that I have used to prevent these heat related
injuries from occurring. This begins with simple temperature and humidity
measurements.
My employer has an established set of minimum and maximum temperatures,
between 68 and 83 degrees, which the workers are permitted to work in, without the use
of additional measures being implemented to reduce the amount of heat they are exposed
Unit V Journal
Columbia Southern University
Advanced Concepts in Environmental Safety Management (OSH 4308)
Unit V Journal
An environment in which I have experienced potential thermal stressors is on a
construction site, during the mid-summer months in Orlando, Florida. The workers on the
construction site are exposed to an extremely hot environment, high humidity levels, and
a variety of potential heat-related injuries. These workers are required to be in long pants,
typically jeans, hard hats and a hi-visibility vest all while performing work that requires a
great deal of physical activity. Their clothing tends to increase the body’s heat storage.
These conditions then cause a physiological response in the body to increase heat loss, in
order to maintain a normal core-body temperature. The body does this through sweating
to cool off the skin through evaporation, and sending more blood to the surface of the
skin, such as the head, arms, and legs to allow heat to escape.
Construction work is very labor intensive and much of this work is being done in
an uncontrolled environment, such as a building with no air conditioning or in direct
sunlight. Sometimes these workers are exposed to additional heat sources such as
welding, torching, or grinding, which then requires these workers to don even more
personal protective equipment (PPE). Because of the many factors these workers face
with heat stress, there are a few measures that I have used to prevent these heat related
injuries from occurring. This begins with simple temperature and humidity
measurements.
My employer has an established set of minimum and maximum temperatures,
between 68 and 83 degrees, which the workers are permitted to work in, without the use
of additional measures being implemented to reduce the amount of heat they are exposed
