Hey Everybody,
Two days into an oppressive wave of humidity and we are waiting on relief. Even though the excessive heat warning has expired and the temperatures have remained lower than forecast the humidity is awfully oppressive. The high humidity will force your body to take longer to cool down. With the heat index remaining above 100 degrees (surely to be higher on the ramp and in the bellies) it's simply dangerous. Continue to take the extra precautions that have helped get you this far. Here's what the company is planning to do for the heat wave:
· In addition to the Gatorade truck, the company will stock the CSM vehicles with coolers and water and in this weather you can't drink enough water. OSHA recommends a pint of water an hour to stay hydrated.
· The company has set up a misting tent at H9/K6 and water tents at K7 and H11B.
· The company was stocking a freezer in the K2 shop with ice pops.
· A cooling van with water will be set up at T5.
Working in this heat will have a cumulative effect on your body and it will start to slow you down as you continue working in this humid weather. Be smart and be safe. The attached links are from OSHA and are meant to help you gauge what you need to do to be safe while working in the heat. Nowhere in these links is there a formula or chart that says that cooling off inside for any specific period of time is enough. Listen to your body and don't push yourself to the extreme for a company that is only looking to "move their metal." Not one of the managers on the ramp is a Doctor and they don't know how to diagnose the way you're feeling. If they would provide proof of that training then, and only then, could they make some kind of informed diagnosis. Until then, take care of yourself and each other. No one knows your body like you do. Listen to it and take proper precautions.
The links below are resources from OSHA.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3154.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/index.html?utm_source=Twitter
The link below is for the OSHA heat index tool for android and iPhone phones.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_app.html
Please work smart and stay safe.
**UPDATE**
Since my email earlier today, I've been hearing stories of how the company has fallen short in their cooling initiative during this heat spell. I took the company at their word that they had legitimate concern for their employees in this weather and my request would be met with a genuine response.
Here's the response to my email earlier this week from Manager of Ramp Operations Dale Salisbury to my inquiry about cooling efforts for the hot spell now.
Thanks for the suggestion. As you know, we have taken steps in the past to have additional measures in place during excessively hot/humid days. We will look at a doing the same for these days.
The additional steps he was referring to was the CSM's distributing water on their rounds through their zones. His reference to days instead of day is troubling because they have not followed through on this promise for the past two days.
I expected the least from them and they have failed to deliver on that. While the misting tent and the freezer pops were a new unique attempt to combat the weather I don't know that they were well received. I simply thought asking for cold water would be simple and easy for them to do. Again, as is becoming more the norm, I am frustrated in their unconvincing attempts and hollow assertions that they are doing their best to combat the weather.
According to OSHA, as of now, the heat index is 103 degrees with a moderate risk. I'm sure it's much hotter on the ramp and in the bellies. OSHA calls for water intake of 1 cup per 15 minutes in this weather and rest should be in cool shaded areas.
Again, please take care of yourself and each other. As the day goes on your fatigue will get worse. Listen to your body and respond accordingly.
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