Managing Heat Stress 2011

MANAGING HEAT STRESS

Prepared by: Dan Sawall

[email protected]

http://www.linkedin.com/in/dansawall

MANAGING HEAT STRESS

Heat from the sun or work environment can create a life threatening emergency.

Heat stress occurs when the core body temperature rises and cannot be cooled by sweating.

Our bodies maintain a fairly constant internal temperature even though exposed to varying environmental temperatures.

Heat stress can be more than a minor inconvenience for those who work in extremely warm conditions. Knowing how to prevent, identify and treat its symptoms can literally save lives.

To keep internal body temperatures within safe limits in hot conditions, the body gets rid of excess heat by evaporating sweat and varying the blood flow to the skin. These responses are controlled by the brain and usually occur when the blood exceeds 98.6º F.

Effects of Heat Stress On Your Body

Skin rash

Muscle cramps

Exhaustion

Fainting

Heat Stroke - life threatening!

External Factors Affecting Heat Stress

Humidity

Radiant heat (hot equipment, vessels and sun)

Air movement

Clothing

Work rate (difficulty of work)

If these not controlled, HEAT STRESS MAY OCCUR!

Heat Rash

Symptoms Prickly heat shown as red bumps

on the skin; usually appears in areas where the clothing is restrictive

Sweat ducts plug; sweat cannot freely evaporate from skin

Prevention Wear breathable clothing (e.g.

cotton) Cleanse skin thoroughly

Treatment Keep skin dry Apply calamine lotion Sleep in cool location

Heat rash is the most common problem in hot work environments.

Heat Cramps

Symptoms Shriveled skin, sunken eyes, dry mouth /

tongue

Severe pain and cramps in legs and abdomen

Weakness, dizziness or fainting

Profuse sweating

Headaches

Treatment

Increase fluid / salt intake

Drink at least 16 ounces of water per hour

Rest and move to a cool place

Cramps may result after excessive sweating and dehydration.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms Fatigue, headache, dizziness, profuse sweating,

rapid pulse, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and fainting

Treatment

Get to a shaded area and cool off; use cold wet towels or ice and fan

Drink lots of water; may need IV

Loosen clothing and elevate legs above heart

If condition worsens, seek medical attention immediately

Blood moves toward the outer body to remove heat. Blood pools in the skin leaving less for the brain.

If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to HEAT STROKE!

Heat Stroke

Symptoms

Hot, red skin and NO sweating

Rapid pulse, confusion and nausea

Possible convulsions and unconsciousness

Treatment

Move to a cooler location and loosen clothing

Immerse in cool water or wrap in wet sheets

Apply cold compresses to head, neck and groin

A medical emergency and life-threatening condition caused by failure of heat-regulating mechanisms of the body due to high heat and humidity. The body’s core temperature rises and stops sweating.

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!

Prevention

Drink lots of water (at least 16 ounces per hour), even if not thirsty

Start drinking water before you start work

Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine

Get used to the heat for short periods, followed by longer periods of work

Alternate work and rest breaks, with longer breaks in cooler areas

Work in teams to limit strenuous activity

Prevention (cont.)

Ensure adequate ventilation

Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing (e.g. cotton)

Notify your Supervisor at first sign of any problem

Keep an eye on your coworkers. Use a buddy system.

Check your urine color for signs of dehydration

WARNING!

In the course of a day's work in the heat, you could sweat as much as 2-3 gallons.

Drink an adequate amount of water, even when you are not thirsty.

You should drink 16 ounces of fluids every hour to replenish the necessary fluids in the body.

By the time you feel thirsty, you are already 10% dehydrated.

Urine color gives indication of hydration state (i.e. if urine is dark, drink more water).

What to Do When a Worker is Ill from Heat

Call a First Responder / Supervisor for help. If they are not available, call 911

Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives

Move the worker to a cooler / shaded area

Remove outer clothing

Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice (ice bags or ice towels)

Provide cool drinking water, if able to drink

IF THE WORKER IS NOT ALERT or seems confused, this may be a heat stroke. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY and apply ice as soon as possible!

QuizCircle the best answer to each statement.

1. In the course of a day’s work in heat, a person can sweat as much as 2-3 gallons. True or False

2. Heat stress occurs when the core body temperature rises and cannot be cooled by sweating. True or False

3. Humidity is not an external factor associated with heat stress. True or False

4. Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts plug and sweat cannot freely evaporate from the skin. True or False

5. Heat cramps are treated by drinking 16 ounces of water every 4 hours. True or False

6. Headaches and dizziness are not symptoms of heat exhaustion. True or False

7. Hot, red skin and no sweating are symptoms of heat stroke. True or False

8. If someone is having a heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately. True or False

9. Applying ice is not recommended for treating someone taken ill from the heat. True or False

10. If you are not thirsty, you must be well-hydrated. True or False

11. Drinking beverages with caffeine is a good way to prevent dehydration. True or False

12. Darker urine color is an indicator of dehydration. True or False