Case : Roofing worker

In July, a 42-year-old man started a new job as a roofer. His employer did not have a formal plan to protect new workers from heat-related illness although there was plentiful water, ice, and Gatorade available at the site. The worker felt fine during his first two days of work. His third day on the job was slightly warmer, with a high temperature of about 86F and relative humidity of 57%, for a heat index of 90F. In the afternoon, the worker told his co-workers he felt hot and sick. He climbed down from the roof and went to sit by himself in the sun. When his co-workers checked on him a few minutes later, he had symptoms of heat stroke. He was taken to a hospital where he died. Scattered clouds may have reduced the radiant temperature somewhat but reconstruction showed a wet-bulb globe temperature of 82F based on data from a nearby airport.

Lessons to learn from this case:

Protect new workers during their first two weeks on the job. Make sure they take plenty of rest breaks and drink enough fluids.

Never leave workers alone when they complain of heat-related symptoms. Their condition can worsen quickly! Take them to a cool location and provide first aid. Even a brief delay in first aid can make the difference between life and death.

Temperatures do not have to be extremely hot to cause heat stroke in workers. Remember, total heat stress is a combination of environmental heat and workload. Air temperatures in the 80s (F) are high enough to result in a Heat Index value of 90F. They are also high enough to kill some workers.

Questions:

1. Is this incident in any way, the employers fault? Why or why not?

2. What according to you could have been done to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place?