As a heat wave intensifies in Maryland, highway workers handling hot asphalt face hazardous conditions. State inspectors are ramping up efforts to monitor crews during this extreme heat. Charlie Gischlar from the Maryland State Highway Administration emphasized the widespread impact of heat stress on workers, noting that prolonged exposure can severely strain the body’s cooling mechanisms.
OSHA highlights that new employees, whose bodies haven’t acclimated to the heat, are particularly vulnerable. Alarmingly, nearly 75% of heat-related worker deaths occur in the first week on the job. The Maryland State Highway Administration reports incidents of heat strokes among workers, particularly during the hottest hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when they are most active.
Team leaders are vigilant, watching for signs of heat stroke such as nausea, dizziness, and clamminess. If a worker shows symptoms, they are promptly moved to a cooler environment to rest and hydrate. Federal safety guidelines require workers to wear heavy safety gear, which can exacerbate heat retention. To combat this, workers are advised to avoid heavy meals and dark-colored clothing.
For more information, read the original article on CBS Baltimore here.
