Heat Illness Prevention Program Through the USPS
September 5 , 2020Even though we are in September, heat is still a problem for people working outside or in un-airconditioned factories/warehouses. The purpose of the Postal Service’s Heat Illness Prevention Program (“HIPP”) is to protect their employees against heat-related illnesses. This, however, can apply to anyone.
The HIPP is triggered when an employee in a facility is exposed to a heat index temperature exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time, six hours, or more, over the course of a workday or shift.
Heat can cause significant illnesses and injuries that can become debilitating, or even deadly.
If you have been injured or became ill at work due to the lack of HIPP protocols, contact our skilled workers’ compensation attorneys in Charlotte today for help pursuing the benefits you are entitled to as a North Carolina postal worker.
What are the Most Common Causes of Heat Injuries or Illnesses in North Carolina?
The summer months can bring increasingly hot temperatures to North Carolina, which can place many workers – including USPS workers, no matter their positions – in danger of succumbing to heat injuries and illnesses.
Some of the common symptoms associated with Heat Exhaustion may include:
- Cool moist skin
- Heavy sweating
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Weakness
- Thirst
- Irritability
- Fast heartbeat
You could also experience heat cramps that produce muscle spasms and pain that are usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs.
Often, these symptoms can lead to fainting, falls, or other dangerous conditions that leave workers severely injured.
Other times, heat exhaustion may become more severe and lead to a heat stroke, which can be life-threatening.
Some of the most common symptoms of Heat Stroke may include:
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Seizures
- Excessive sweating or red, hot, dry skin
- Very high body temperature
If you experience any of these symptoms, move to a shady, cool area to sit or lie down, and notify your supervisor, if possible.
If you feel that medical attention is necessary, however, do not hesitate to call 911 right away. Your health and safety are the first priority.
Contact Our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys at Ramsay Law Firm
If you feel that you need to pursue our Charlotte workers’ compensation attorneys contact our law firm today to get started. We want to help you pursue the benefits you are entitled to for your at-work injuries, so you can take back control of your life and health.
A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way.
