Alberta government urges worker safety in extreme heat – OkotoksOnline.com

As temperatures in Alberta remain dangerously high, the province wants to ensure workers are safe in the heat.

Alberta remains under a heat warning, with temperatures already soaring to 30 degrees or higher this week, with humidex levels as high as 37 degrees.

The Alberta government wants to ensure that people working in extreme heat are safe and that employers take steps to protect the health and safety of their employees.

“Alberta’s summers can pose safety risks for those working outdoors or in hot environments,” said Minister of Employment, Economy and Trade Matt Jones. “It is critical that employers and employees work together to minimize heat-related risks. Our goal is for every worker to return home safely after every workday.”

Employers and employees are asked to be alert to the early signs of heat stress, such as irritability, dizziness, heavy sweating and muscle cramps.

To protect themselves from the heat, the government is urging employers to provide their workers with plenty of water, limit physical exertion, schedule physically demanding work for cooler times of the day and teach their workers how to recognize the signs of heat stress.

Employees are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, wear appropriate clothing for the heat and to alert their manager or employer if they feel unwell.