Protecting Workers from Heat-Related Fatigue and Impairment: DIS-TRAN Steel's Success with AlertMeter®
Introduction
Extreme heat poses significant risks to workers, particularly in manufacturing environments. Managing heat fatigue has become a critical priority for companies like DIS-TRAN Steel. At their Louisiana facilities, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F, ensuring employee safety means proactively addressing the risks of heat-related impairment.
This map shows the rate of emergency department (ED) visits associated with heat-related illness (HRI) per 100,000 ED visits by region. (Source- https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/heatTracker/)
The Challenge
The workplace can be a dangerous environment when heat fatigue impacts an employee’s cognitive and physical performance. According to OSHA, heat stress can cause confusion, dizziness, and even heatstroke if not managed promptly. Louisiana’s sweltering summers present a unique challenge to manufacturers like DIS-TRAN Steel, whose workers operate in physically demanding roles in high-temperature conditions.
Heat-related illnesses are not just health risks - they are safety risks. Research from the Workers Compensation Research Institute highlights that heat stress impairs decision-making and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of workplace accidents. For DIS-TRAN Steel, mitigating these risks is a top priority.
The Solution: The AlertMeter®
To combat these challenges, DIS-TRAN Steel partnered with AlertMeter® to implement a system for identifying fatigue and impairment in real-time. AlertMeter® provides a simple, non-invasive way to monitor worker readiness, even in extreme conditions.
Through short, game-like cognitive tests, AlertMeter® evaluates employees’ cognitive function at the start of their shift and periodically throughout the day. By identifying changes in baseline performance, the tool can detect early signs of fatigue or heat-related impairment.
The Results
DIS-TRAN Steel’s implementation of AlertMeter® across its two Louisiana facilities yielded impressive results. According to Kyla Martin, SHRM-CP:
“With Louisiana summer temperatures reaching excess of 105 degrees, AlertMeter® was instrumental in our company being able to gauge heat fatigue in our manufacturing facilities throughout the summer months. Being able to check in with our employee fatigue levels throughout the day assisted us in having zero heat incidences last year.”
This success underscores the effectiveness of proactive monitoring. By addressing fatigue before it becomes dangerous, DIS-TRAN Steel safeguarded its workforce while maintaining operational efficiency.
The Broader Impact
Heat-related workplace fatalities remain a significant concern, as highlighted by data from OSHA and the EPA. Tools like AlertMeter® not only help individual organizations like DIS-TRAN Steel but also set a standard for industry-wide safety practices.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advocates for regular monitoring and proactive measures to prevent heat illnesses. AlertMeter® aligns seamlessly with these recommendations, offering an evidence-based solution to a growing problem.
Conclusion
DIS-TRAN Steel’s story highlights the importance of leveraging innovative tools to protect workers in extreme conditions. By adopting AlertMeter®, they demonstrated that addressing heat fatigue is not just a safety measure - it’s a commitment to their employees’ well-being.
With proactive measures and tools like AlertMeter®, companies can ensure their workers stay safe, productive, and healthy, even in the face of challenging environments.
Sources- https://www.wcrinet.org/reports/heat-related-illnesses-in-the-workplacea-wcri-flashreport https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure#:~:text=If%20heat%20dissipation%20does%20not,most%20severe%20heat%2Drelated%20illness. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/3431_wksiteposter_en.pdf https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/closer-look-heat-related-workplace-deaths
