Severe Heat Causes Strain on Workers and Power Systems
Scorching temperatures are everywhere, and it's hard to ignore the sweltering summer heatwaves. While it might be a minor inconvenience for some, this extreme heat can pose serious risks, especially for workers and the electrical grid. So, let's talk about how to stay safe and protect your infrastructure when temps soar.
Our experts for today's discussion are Dave Blanchard, editor-in-chief of EHS Today, and Jeff Postelwait, managing editor of T&D World.
Blanchard highlights the importance of combating heat stress since it's the leading cause of death among hazardous weather conditions in the US, according to OSHA. Common signs of heat stress include:
- Persistent sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Dry, hot skin
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
Employers should prioritize workers' hydration by providing easy access to water, breaks, and shade. Additionally, Blanchard advises implementing a buddy system to help coworkers watch out for each other. Initiate heat safety training and ensure workers learn to recognize signs of heat-related illnesses.
On the other hand, utility managers like Postelwait are geared up for the strain on the power grid. Increased air conditioning usage, electric vehicle adoption, residential construction, and data center development are pushing the grid to its limits.
Postelwait explains that the industry is actively discussing strategies to keep the lights on during prolonged heatwaves and droughts. These include enhancing existing grid infrastructure, building new power plants, employing transmission lines, and increasing skilled labor force.
So, whether you're a factory manager or an electric utility manager, be proactive about the extreme heat. Stay informed, stay cool, and prioritize heat safety! It's a simple and effective way to protect your workers and your infrastructure during the hot days ahead.
- In the realm of science, it's vital to combat heat stress, as it stands as the leading cause of death among hazardous weather conditions in the US, according to OSHA.
- In the health-and-wellness and workplace-wellness sectors, employers ought to prioritize workers' hydration, providing easy access to water, breaks, and shade to help mitigate heat stress.
- Within the industry, utility managers are actively discusssing strategies to keep the lights on during prolonged heatwaves and droughts, considering solutions such as enhancing existing grid infrastructure, building new power plants, employing transmission lines, and increasing the skilled labor force.
- The environmental-science and energy industry face challenges on multiple fronts during extreme heat, with increased air conditioning usage, electric vehicle adoption, residential construction, and data center development contributing to strains on the power grid.
