Heat Stress Information for Pool Techs By Lauren Broom
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Pool pros are at a very high risk of heat stress due to the majority of their time being spent in a hot outdoor environment. Pools pros at greatest risk of heat stress include those who are 65 or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.
Prevention of heat stress in workers is important. Employers should provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.
Pool pros average 20 to 30 hours of outdoor work time per week, so exposure to sun and heat stress can easily occur. Most pools are opened on Memorial Day and remain open during the hot summer months. These pool normally do not close until about Labor Day. Pool pros are most active in these months in cleaning and maintaining the pools in their area. This increases their chances of heat stress and heat-related illnesses. Pool pros are exposed when they are completing pool cleaning and repairs.
Primary Factors
The three main factors that contribute to heat stress are the environment, the worker, and the work being conducted.
1. Environment as a factor includes air temperature, humidity and the sun.
2. Worker as a factor includes hydration, clothing, medical conditions, and acclimatization.
3. Work as a factor includes the amount of work done and how much effort it takes to complete the work.
Understand your risk
Everyone responds differently to heat. Pool pros need to know their personal risk factors that could increase their chance of a heat-stressrelated illness or injury. The following are factors to think about:
• Lack of acclimatization.
• Poor physical fitness or unhealthy weight.
• Age.
• Flu, lack of sleep, and other minor illnesses.
• Reoccurring skin disorders (rashes, dermatitis, etc.).
• Caffeine, drugs, and alcohol, all of which can cause dehydration.
• Previous heat stroke.
• Pre-existing conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
• Use of some medications.
Heat-Related Illnesses
Heat-related illnesses are the No.1 weather-related killer of outdoor workers in the United States. In 2023, according to CDC data, the U.S. saw high levels of heat-related illnesses. That summer, hospitals recorded a large spike in heatrelated illnesses in the region that includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oklahoma. The CDC information shows that rates of emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses
Lauren Broom is a Certified Pool Operator Course, CPO
, instructor and a former health inspector for the Florida Department of Health. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and is a registered sanitarian.
She has 16-years of experience in commercial pool inspections and waterborne disease outbreak investigations.
Lauren lives in Palm Bay, Florida with her husband of 17 years and their 3 children.
Lauren can be reached at spacecoastpoolschool@yahoo.com
Lauren Broom Florida
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were the highest seen in this region in the past five years.
The following is a list of possible heat injuries or illnesses that could occur to pool pros in order of mild to most dangerous: Heat rash; Heat cramps; Heat syncope; Heat exhaustion; Heat Stroke; Other conditions that could occur: Sunburn; Dehydration; Skin cancer; Cataracts.
Employers Can Help
Employers can provide training on a system known as a Heat Stress Management Plan. The system trains employees on proper attire and how to recognize, control, and treat heat stress. The role of weather, workload, personal protective equipment (PPE), and a person’s physical condition are important elements. Employers can provide PPE such as dry-fit clothing, sunscreen, wide brimmed hats, cooling vests, or other items that are sold to absorb water and used to cool the body down.
Pool pros who follow Heat Stress Management Plans can be aware and listen to their body and understand the early signs of heat-related illnesses. Hydration is a very important item that employees should be aware of at the start of their workday. Beginning each day with a gallon of water and a secondary liter-sized bottle is key. Also, remembering to drink water often and before becoming thirsty, while avoiding drinks with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar.
Starting early in the day will help avoid being outdoors during the peak heat hours and taking breaks when it is hot can help reduce heat stress.
Apply sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 and wear long sleeves with loose, light-colored, lightweight material will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal temperatures. Wearing a hat will help protect the head, neck, and shoulders and a pair of sunglasses can be used as PPE to protect eyes from sunlight shining off the surface of the water or directly from the sun.
Employees can also set up an outdoor work area on pool equipment using a shade structure and even fans to try to have a cooler area to work.
Vehicle heat—the sun’s radiation can heat a dashboard and steering wheel up to 180 to 200˚F, in addition, it also warms the air trapped inside the vehicle. In only 10 minutes, when the outside temperature is 80 º F, the inside temperature is 99°F.
• In 20 minutes — outside 80 º F, inside vehicle 109°F.
• In 30 mins — outside 80 º F, inside vehicle 114°F.
• In 60 mins—outside 80 º F, inside vehicle 123°F.
Remember: Do not take nap in a hot, non-air-conditioned vehicle.
Heat index-be aware of the heat index in your outdoor work area. It can feel hotter, and heat illnesses can be intensified due to high humidity along with hot temperatures.
OSHA has a heat safety tool app that can be used by employers and employees. The app is a useful resource for planning outdoor work activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. The app is available in English and Spanish. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ heatstress/heatapp.html Finally, take care to follow OSHA three basic steps: 1. Water—Employees should drink water often, even before they become thirsty.
2. Rest –Employees should take frequent breaks away from the sun’s rays, recommended in an airconditioned or cool well-ventilated area.
3.Shade—Any location that someone can take shelter from the sun (tree, canopy, indoors or cool AC vehicle).
Photo credit: OSHA
