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
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