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Heat Stress Awareness
- 1. Heat Stress Awareness Protecting Yourself from the Heat
- 2. • What is heat stress? • Signs & symptoms of heat related illness • What are the primary factors • Individual factors of heat stress • Prevention – How can I protect myself • First aid in case of heat stress Heat Stress Training Objectives 2 7/21/2022
- 3. • Illness caused by elevated air temperatures • Your body can no longer regulate its core body temperature • Heat stress may lead to the following illness: 1. Heat Stroke (most deadly) 2. Heat Exhaustion 3. Heat Rash 4. Heat Cramps Heat Stress 3 7/21/2022
- 4. 1. Heat Stroke Symptoms • Medical emergency – May be FATAL • Temperature regulating system fails and core body temperature reaches critical level (greater than 104°F / 40 °C) • Symptoms of heat stress – Confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and dry/hot skin First Aid • Call 911 • Notify supervisor • If outside move employee to shade, remove as much clothing as possible and apply cool water to employee, circulate air on employee 7/21/2022 GSC 2017 Ergonomics 4
- 5. 2. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms • Body temperature exceeds 100 °F / 38 °C • Symptoms of heat exhaustion – headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, irritability, weakness, thirst, excessive sweating First Aid • Notify supervisor • Remove from hot area and give employee water • Place cold compress on employees' neck and face • Have employee examined by licensed healthcare provider 7/21/2022 GSC 2017 Ergonomics 5
- 6. Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke 6 7/21/2022 GSC 2017 Ergonomics
- 7. 3. Heat Rash Symptoms • Cluster of pimples or small blisters • Caused by sweating • Appear on groin, neck, chest, under breasts, elbow creases First Aid • Notify supervisor • Cool work environment • Powder to increase comfort 7/21/2022 GSC 2017 Ergonomics 7
- 8. 4. Heat Cramp Symptoms • Muscle pains • Caused by loss of water and electrolytes through sweating First Aid • Notify supervisor • Drink water immediately • Take break in cool area 7/21/2022 GSC 2017 Ergonomics 8
- 10. Heat Stress Factors - Individual 7/21/2022 10
- 11. Know signs of heat illness Preventing Heat Stress 11 7/21/2022 Properly acclimate to hot temperatures (e.g. take more breaks after a long absence from elevated temperatures) Consume adequate amounts of water (e.g. at least 4 cups water every hour) Take breaks regularly Utilize fans and misting fans Avoid excessive caffeine, alcohol, drugs
Editor's Notes
- Heat Stress Awareness – Protecting yourself from the heat
- In todays training we will discuss the following objectives: Define heat stress Signs and symptoms of heat related illness What factors can cause heat stress What are the individual factors affecting heat stress How can I protect myself and prevent heat stress And finally, what you should do in the event someone is experiencing a heat related illness
- What is heat stress? Heat stress is an illness caused by elevated air temperatures. It happens when your body can no longer regulate its core body temperature. Heat stress can lead to the following illnesses: Heat Stroke (which can be deadly) Heat Exhaustion Heat Rash Heat Cramps
- Heat Stroke: heat stroke is a medical emergency as it can become fatal. Heat stroke happens when the temperature regulating system fails and the core body temperature reaches a critical level of 104 degrees Fahrenheit / 40 degrees Celsius. This dangerously elevated internal temperature can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and dry/hot skin. In the event an employee experiences a heat stroke first call 911. Heat stroke is a potentially life-threatening event and emergency services must be summoned. Remove as much clothing as possible and apply cool water to the employee. Circulate air on employee. If the person is outside move them to a shaded area.
- Heat Exhaustion: heat exhaustion happens when the body temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit / 38 degrees Celsius. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, irritability, weakness, thirst, and excessive sweating. If you suspect an employee is experiencing heat exhaustion notify a supervisor. Remove the employee from the hot area and give the employee water. Place cold compress on employees' neck and face. Have the employee examined by a licensed healthcare provider.
- Distinguishing heat exhaustion from heat stroke can be difficult; however, knowing the correct symptoms to look for can save lives. If the employee is unconscious, has body temperature above 103 degrees Ferenheit/40 degrees Celsius, the skin is hot and dry with no sweating, and has strong pulse, then the employee’s more likely to have a heat stroke. This is a medical emergency - Call 911 immediately and proceed to appropriate first aid, such as moving the employee to a cooler area and cooling the body temperature down. If the employee is sweating excessively, has cool and clammy skin, and has weak pulse, the employee is more likely to have heat exhaustion. Notify the supervisor, ensure that the employee is in a cool and shaded area and provide water.
- Next, we will review heat rash. Symptoms of heat rash includes a cluster of small pimples or blisters on the skin. They are caused by excessive sweating. They can appear on the groin, neck, chest, under breasts, and in elbow creases. If you are experiencing a heat rash notify supervisor, if possible cool the work environment and use powder to increase comfort.
- Heat stress can also lead to heat cramps. Heat cramps are essentially muscle pains caused be the loss of water and electrolytes through sweating. Where heat cramps are noticed let your supervisor know and drink water immediately and take a break in a cool area.
- The primary factors contributing to heat stress are Environment, Worker, and Work. The environment relates to the conditions you are working including the air temperature, humidity, and solar load. The worker factor is how your body cops with a hot environment and will be discussed further on the following slide. The last primary factor is the type of work you are doing, and the level of effort required to complete the task. The harder or more strenuous the task the more likely heat stress illness may occur.
- Not everyone responds to heat stress the same. There are certain risk factors which can increase your chance of heat stress. They are: Not being acclimated to the heat, poor physical fitness or an unhealthy weight, age, underling illness such as flu, lack of sleep, reoccurring skin disorders, previous heat stroke, preexisting medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and some medications. It is important to note that caffeine, drugs, and alcohol can cause dehydration and contribute to heat related illnesses.
- The following list things you can do to avoid heat stress: Properly acclimate to hot temperatures for example take more breaks after a long absence from elevated temperatures such as after a long vacation away from the heat Consume adequate amounts of water at least 4 cups water every hour Take breaks as dictated by the sites written heat stress program Know signs of heat illness and take a break at first signs Stay away from excessive caffeine Avoid alcohol – even the night before work Avoid drugs Utilize fans and misting fans where feasible
- Thank you for your reviewing the hazards of heat stress at your facility. If you have any questions, please reach out to your supervisor or EHS Manager.