Beall Brewery Insurance reports that, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, thousands of workers each year become sick due to exposure to heat.
While brewing always involves high temperatures, even after brewing, hot, humid conditions can develop during tasks like cleaning out mash tuns. Workers can develop heat rash, heat cramps, heat stress, heat stroke, or other heat-related illness.
A potentially serious condition, heat stress—which stems from the body’s inability to cope with the heat—can result in heat cramps, heat rash, and heat exhaustion, fainting, and heat stroke. Symptoms can include disorientation, cold, pale, clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, and heavy sweating.
Prevent Heat-Related Illness
To prevent heat stress in your craft brewery workers, ensure that employees drink plenty of other water or other fluids (avoiding caffeinated, sugary, or alcoholic beverages). They should also have access to cool, shady areas for breaks.
If craft brewery workers have responsibilities that must be taken care of outdoors, ensure that they are wearing:
- Sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hats
- Long-sleeved shirts and pants
In the Event of Heat-Related Illness
If a worker shows signs of heat-related illness:
- Move the worker to a cooler location.
- Have the worker lie down and loosen any constrictive clothing.
- Apply wet, cool cloths to the worker’s skin.
- Have the worker sip water.
- Be prepared to call 911 if the worker
- Has a temperature above 103°F
- Has hot, red, dry, or moist skin
- Is continuously vomiting
- Has a rapid, strong pulse
- Is unconscious
For more than 30 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With offices in California and Indiana, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.
