Informer | June #1

June #1: Heat Stress Awareness, Fence Post Safety, Company Nurse Webinar

Heat stress continues to be a big concern in Iowa, fueled by rising summer temperatures and extreme humidity. Outdoor employees or employees working inside without air conditioning are at high risk.

Iowa’s unique landscape heavily influences its local heat stress. During the peak of the growing season, dense cornfields transpire immense amounts of water vapor. A single acre of corn can release up to 4,000 gallons of moisture into the air daily. This phenomenon, often called corn sweat, severely spikes the local dew point, pushing the heat index well into the triple digits.  (KCCI News)

Recognizing the Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness is Critical:

Heat Exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, and muscle cramps. Move the individual to a shaded or air-conditioned area, loosen clothing, and provide cool water.

Heat Stroke: This is a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms include a high body temperature (usually over 103 F), confusion, rapid pulse, and loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately and begin actively cooling the person with water while waiting for emergency responders.

Prevention & Resources

The best defense against heat stress is prevention. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoiding peak midday sun, wearing lightweight clothing, and utilizing air-conditioned spaces.

Resources

IMWCA recommends downloading the NIOSHA Heat Safety Tool for Apple or  NIOSH Heat Safety Tool for Google. These apps feature real–time heat index and hourly forecasts, specific to your location, as well as occupational safety and health recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH.

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Company Nurse Updates for Members

Join us for a Webinar with Company Nurse: August 13 | 10 a.m.

Discover what’s new with Company Nurse powered by Lintelio. This webinar will highlight enhanced communication features, physician consultation services, new member phone numbers, and fiscal year 2025-26 performance metrics, including call statistics and utilization data. Learn how these updates can help improve injury reporting, provide timely medical guidance, and create a better experience for both employees and supervisors.

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Safely Setting and Removing Fence Posts

Many IMWCA members undertake the setting and/or removal of fence posts on publicly owned properties. Over the years, the pool has seen injuries incurred by employees carrying out these activities. The injuries have impacted jaws, teeth facial tissue, shoulders, arms and wrists.  The following are some safety tips to minimize the risks associated with setting and removing fence posts:

Setting a Post

Set post 1/3 to 1/2 of the length of the post into the ground. For metal T-posts, set the T flange well into the soil. This provides greater stability.

• Using a manual post hole digger tool:
• Keep the tool, at minimum, at lower arms-length away from your body.
• Let the tool do the work. Drop the tool into the ground with moderate pressure.
• Trying to “ram” the tool into the soil using great effort creates undue stress on your body.

Removing/Pulling a Post:

Using a manual post removal tool:

• Soak the ground to make removing the post easier.
• If the post is in a concrete footing. First, dig around the base of the concrete before pulling.
• Rock the post in its concrete footing. Use only moderate exertion to avoid creating a situation where the post gives way and poses a fall hazard.
• If using a hand jack, make sure the jack’s base is on a firm surface such as a plank. Wrap a log chain or tow strap around the post and secure it to the lifting arm of the jack.
• When jacking, make sure that the lever is kept at arms-length. Keep in mind the jack or lever can slip and cause injury if the employee is too close.

Using a skid loader, end loader, or tractor bucket to remove a post (wooden or steel):

• If the post is in a concrete footing. First, dig around the base of the concrete before pulling.
• Rock the post in its concrete footing using the bucket.
• To pull the post, whether in soil or concrete, use an appropriately rated logging chain or tow strap. Attach it to the post by either wrapping it tightly several times or by using an appropriate hitch knot. Attach the chain/strap to the loader using either a hook or an appropriate hitch knot.
• If possible, when attaching to the loader, attach directly to a loader arm or loader arm crossbar. Only attach to the bucket if it is equipped with either a loading hook or a hook capture point. In the case of a loader equipped with forks, wrap the chain or tow strap around a fork as close to the base of the fork as possible using an appropriate hitch knot.
• Make sure the operator can clearly see the post and the location where the post is being pulled.
• Do not have an employee hold the post while under pressure from the loader or tractor.
• Staff should stay back from the post being pulled in case the post slips or pops out suddenly.

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Upcoming IMWCA Trainings