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Heat Stress PreventionHeat Stress Prevention


Introduction

When you are exposed to heat, constant exertion combines with higher temperatures to make things uncomfortable-and sometimes even

dangerous. That’s a possibility not only when the climate heats up, but in work settings that may be

enclosed or in intense heat.


Introduction

Your body has a built-in, automatic response that adapts to heat changes - up to a point. When

temperatures go beyond that point, you need to be prepared.


What is Heat Stress?

Your body is constantly working to maintain a normal internal temperature of about 98.6 degrees

Fahrenheit.

But when heat causes your temperature to rise faster than you body can cool itself off, you can

become vulnerable to heat stress.



Heat stress is any condition caused when environmental conditions overwhelm your body’s temperature regulating abilities.



The main factors in heat stress are temperature, humidity, air movement, physical activity,

clothing worn, and the radiant temperature of the surroundings.

Temperature alone seldom causes heat stress.



The three most common types of heat stress are heat cramps, heat exhaustion,

and heat stroke.


The Body’s Reaction to Heat

When you continue to labor at the same pace in growing heat, your body loses fluids and becomes

fatigued. The growing heat stress results in poorer job performance by lowering your alertness and slowing physical responses. As the brain loses vital blood fuel that has gone off to fight the heat, you may no longer

be able to even recognize your body’s warning symptoms.


Heat Disorders

Heat related illness can range from heat rashes and sunburns to cramps, exhaustion and heat

stroke.

Heat rashes, sunburns, and heat cramps can be painful and uncomfortable, but they are not life threatening. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are

more serious conditions.


Heat Disorders

Causes and Symptoms

Early warnings of approaching heat stress often are overlooked as routine heat discomfort. An example is heat rash. Some call it prickly heat,

which comes when the skin remains wet as sweat does not evaporate. If you feel dizzy or faint, it

likely comes from standing erect and motionless in heat.

Heat Rash


Heat Disorders

Treatment

Heat rash involves discomfort more than danger. It’s common during humid periods of

heat when sweat on the skin is slow at evaporating. Relief comes from bathing

affected areas, then drying the skin.

Heat Rash


Heat DisordersFainting

Causes and Symptoms

Fainting can occur if a person is not used to the hot heat. A worker who stands in one place in

heat may suffer from blood pooling - the tendency for blood to flow through heat -

enlarged blood vessels and collect in the lower areas of the body, leaving the brain without

adequate replenishment.


Heat Disorders

At the first sign of dizziness or fainting, lie down. If this is not possible sit down and put your head between your legs. As your head

clears, get back on your feet and start moving around to prevent continued blood pooling.

Fainting

Treatment


Heat Disorders

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that are caused by lack of salt in the body. They usually result from sweating heavily and drinking large amounts of water without replacing the body’s

salt loss.

Causes and Symptoms


Heat Disorders

Cramps may hurt, but they alert you that you need to ease up the work pace before the problem advances to the more dangerous areas of heat exhaustion and and

stroke. Replace the salt your body has lost by drinking a .5% salt water solution or a sport drink.

Treatment

Heat Cramps


Heat Disorders

Continued loss of fluid and salt from sweating can lead to heat exhaustion. The victim sometimes

mistakes the symptoms for the flu. Symptoms can include heavy sweating, cool and moist skin, and a week pulse. Other symptoms can include possible

fainting, weakness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision and a normal or slightly high body

temperature.

Heat Exhaustion

Causes and Symptoms


Heat Disorders

Heat exhaustion is a step away from heat stroke, and treatment can be more effective because the victim often remains conscious. Move the victim into a cooler, shaded area. Recline the victim with

the feet elevated. Loosen clothing. A conscious person can replenish lost body fluids by drinking

cool beverages, slowly but steadily.

Heat Exhaustion

Treatment


Heat Disorders

Heat stroke is the most serious of the heat illnesses. When sweating no longer helps the

body regulate its internal temperature, the body has no choice but to halt cooling efforts and store heat. There are two main types of heat

stroke: Classic and Exertional.

Heat Stroke

Causes and Symptoms


Heat Disorders

•Exertional heat stroke affects healthy people who work or play hard in a warm environment. These victims are usually sweating when they develop heat stroke. Because it occurs rapidly, there usually isn’t time for severe dehydration to occur.

•Classic heat stroke may take days to develop and usually affects the poor, elderly, chronically ill, overweight, and alcoholics. Victims of classic heat stroke are not usually sweating.

Heat Stroke


Heat Disorders

Heat Stroke

Treatment

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If a heat stroke victim does not receive the proper

treatment quickly enough, death can occur. Do whatever you can to cool the victim off

immediately. This includes moving the person into the shade, submerging him or her in water

or pouring water on him and fanning the victim.


Preventing Heat Stress

Understanding and recognizing the causes and symptoms of heat stress disorders is an important

part of heat stress safety. But the key is using measures to prevent heat stress from occurring in

the first place.


Preventing Heat StressReduce the Environmental Temperature

Engineering measures should be the first means of controlling this hazard. The most effective control measure when indoors is reducing the temperature of the work area. When this is not possible, other measures such as shielding or ventilation should be

used. Use a fan or open a window to increase air movement.



The loss of fluids is the major contributor to heat illness. Under normal conditions

your body loses about two quarts of water every day. When exposed to excess heat while working, a person can lose almost two quarts in one hour through sweating.

Drink Plenty of Fluids



Wear the Proper Clothing

Since sweating is an important cooling mechanism, the moisture vapor transport rating of

material used for protective clothing should be considered when selecting and using personal

protective equipment. If you’re working in the sun, don’t give in to the temptation to remove

some clothes. A sunburn may look healthy, but it greatly reduces the skins ability to shed excess

heat.



Most heat illnesses occur in the first few days of working in the heat. To prevent this,

acclimation (adjusting to the heat) is very important. Gradually increase your

exposure to warm temperatures. Most people are completely acclimated in four to

seven days.

Limit Your Exposure


Preventing Heat StressKeep Healthy & Fit

A healthy diet and body can help prevent heat illness. Excess weight traps heat in your body

and forces your heart and glands to work harder to get rid of it.



Ask Your Doctor

Consult your doctor about exposure to heat if you have an existing medical condition, or are taking medication, or are overweight.

Other risk factors include alcohol consumption, caffeine, old age.



Use Common Sense

You know your own limitations better than anyone else does. Pay attention to the signals your body gives you that let you know when

to quit, slow down or take a break. Pace yourself, drink plenty of fluids, take regular breaks away from the heat, and use common

sense.


Summit Training Source, Inc.

Contact us at:

1-800-842-0466

or at

[email protected]

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