Heat Stress : Take Steps to Prevent Employee Heat Stress

Topic : Heat Stress 

Take Steps to Prevent Employee Heat Stress 

Heat Stress

Any work environment with high temperature and high humidity, where physical work is being performed, is a prime breeding ground for heat-related illness. But you need to take into account other factors as well.

For example, working around hot equipment or processes that generate heat adds to the effect of the temperature in the outside environment, compounding the heat stress workers face. So does stale, stagnant air, or a hot wind. And workers who have to wear hot, heavy PPE and protective clothing on the job are also at greater risk of heat illness.

 

Acclimatization is another important issue. It can take a worker 5 to 7 days to become conditioned to working in the heat. When a sudden heat wave strikes, employees don't have time to get used to the heat, and that makes them more susceptible to heat sickness.

Consider individual factors, too. For example, older workers are often at greater risk than younger workers. So are employees who are overweight, pregnant, physically unfit, inadequately rested, or sick. And workers who've consumed alcohol after work are more likely to be dehydrated the next day and are therefore more susceptible to heat illness.

How to Keep Workers Safe and Healthy

There's a lot you and your company's supervisors can do to reduce the risk of heat-related safety and health problems. These are some simple precautions:

• Consider a worker's physical fitness to work in a hot environment.
• Use engineering controls such as ventilation and spot-cooling by local exhaust to keep workers cool.
• Have employees work in pairs to reduce stress and so that they can keep an eye on each other's
• physical condition.     
• Provide plenty of drinking water and encourage workers to drink fluids throughout their shift.     
• Avoid scheduling the heaviest work on the hottest days or at the hottest time of the day.     
• Alternate work and rest periods in very hot weather, making sure workers have a cool, shady place to take their breaks.     
• Provide more frequent breaks for employees who have to wear hot, heavy PPE or protective clothing, or who work around heat-generating equipment and processes.      
• Monitor temperatures and check on workers regularly to make sure they are successfully coping with the heat. Look for symptoms of heat stress.     
• Train workers to recognize and treat the signs of heat illness.

The combination of heat, humidity, and human labor can be deadly. That's why you and your employees need to take precautions to prevent heat-related accidents and illness. You'll not only be keeping your workers safe and healthy, you'll also be keeping them on the job where you need them, even on the hottest days this summer.

Heat Stress : Stay Safe During Summer

Topic : Heat Stress 

Stay Safe During Summer

Heat Stress

HEAT is the flow or transfer of energy from a high temperature location to low temperature location / object.

GENERATION OF BODY HEAT

There are two main ways in which our bodies produce heat:

Metabolic Heat - The body generates heat through the digestion of food, work and exercise.

Environmental Heat – the body absorbs heat from the surrounding environments like hot sun or hot room or hot work activities.

HEAT RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

Heat Rash - also known as Prickly Heat occurs in hot, humid environments where sweat can't easily evaporate from the skin.

Heat Cramps - painful muscle spasms that result from the loss of salt and electrolytes due to excessive sweating.

Heat Exhaustion - is a state brought on by the loss of fluids lost during excessive sweating.

Heat Stroke - is a severe medical emergency which could result in death.

•  Heat stroke results when the body's core temperature gets too high and the able to cool itself.
• An individual suffering from heat stroke will have hot and dry skin, their pulse high, and their blood pressure will fall.
• This condition must be treated by immediately cooling the victim's body with wrapping them in cool wet sheets. Immediately seek medical attention.

PRECAUTIONS

Acclimation - Accustom yourself to the weather prior to long durations of physical activity.

Maintain Body Fluids - Fluid intake must be maintained throughout the course of physical activity, at least by taking small sips of water every thirty minutes.

• Do not rely on thirst as an indicator of dehydration.
• Alcohol should be avoided because it is a diuretic, which increases dehydration.

Proper Diet – Eat light and stay away from heavy foods. They increase metabolic heat production and it increase water loss. Eat smaller, well-balanced meals more often.

Rest Periods - Pace your work activities at a slower rate during high temperatures and take frequent rest periods in a shaded area and drink plenty of fluids.

Dress Light – Lightweight, light-colored cotton clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Heat-related Illnesses and First Aid

The chart below shows symptoms and first aid measures to take if a worker shows signs of a heat-related illness.

Illness	Symptoms	First Aid
Heat stroke	–        Confusion –        Fainting –        Seizures –        Excessive sweating or red, hot, dry skin Very high body temperature	• Call 102 / 108 While waiting for help: –        Place worker in shady, cool area Loosen clothing, remove outer clothing –        Cold packs in armpits Wet worker with cool water; apply ice packs, cool compresses. –        Provide fluids (preferably water) as soon as possible.
Heat exhaustion	–        Cool, moist skin –        Heavy sweating –        Headache –        Nausea or vomiting dizziness –        Light headedness –        Weakness –        Thirst –        Irritability –        Fast heart beat	–        Have a worker sit or lie down in a cool, shady area –        Give worker plenty of water to drink –        Cool worker with cold compresses / ice packs –        Take to clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation or treatment if signs or symptoms worsen or do not improve within 60 minutes.
Heat cramps	–        Muscle Spasms –        Pain –        Usually in abdomen, arms, or legs	–        Have a worker rest in shady, cool area –        Worker should drink water or other cool beverages –        Wait a few hours before allowing worker to return to strenuous work –        Have worker seek medical attention if cramps don't go away
Heat rash	–        Clusters of red bumps on skin –        Often appears on neck, upper chest, folds of skin	–        Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible –        Keep the affected area dry

Remember, if you are not a medical professional, use this information as a guide only to help workers in need

Jobs that physically demanding – such as heavy lifting or operating large objects, should be saved for early morning or late evening, when the temperature is cooler.

Suggested heat work procedures

Temperature	Danger Category	Heat Syndrome	Procedures
> 130	Extreme Danger	Heat Stroke Imminent	When the heat index is in this zone employees in the affected area should be dismissed.
105 - 129	Danger	Heat Cramps or heat exhaustion likely. Heat Stroke possible with prolonged exposure and activity	When the heat index is in this zone. Critical work activities should be suspended. Non critical work activities shall be evaluated and schedule the employees with time period.
91 - 104	Extreme Caution	Heat cramps or heat exhaustion possible with prolonged exposure and activity	When the heat index is in this zone, shall discuss the situation with supervisors and make schedule/work adjustments to accommodate for the heat.
77 - 90	Caution	Fatigue Possible	Normal work day, no alerts posted.

Can Your Workers Identify Heat Stress Symptoms and First Aid Measures?

Can Your Workers Identify Heat Stress Symptoms and First Aid Measures?

In hot weather, the body normally cools itself by sweating. But when temperatures soar and the humidity level is high, sweating may not be enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels, and a person can develop a heat illness. Heat-related illnesses include:

Heat cramps—muscle pains or spasms that happen during heavy exertion in hot weather (e.g., exercising strenuously or performing heavy physical work). Heat rash—skin irritation from excessive heat. Heat syncope—dizziness or fainting because of the heat. Heat exhaustion—the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating caused by overexertion in the hot weather. (Note: Heat exhaustion can become heatstroke if not treated right away.) Heatstroke—a life-threatening illness in which body temperature may rise above 106° Fahrenheit in minutes. Symptoms of heatstroke (the most serious type of heat stress) include: Hot, dry skin or very heavy sweating Hallucinations Chills Throbbing headache High body temperature Confusion/dizziness Slurred speech Proper first aid for heat stroke includes: Move the person to a cool shaded area. Cool the person using methods such as soaking clothes with water; spraying, sponging, or showering with water; or fanning the body. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Heavy sweating Extreme weakness or fatigue Dizziness, confusion Nausea Clammy, moist skin Pale or flushed complexion Muscle cramps Slightly elevated body temperature Fast and shallow breathing Proper first aid for heat exhaustion includes: Have the person rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area. Have the person drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages. Have the person take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath. Symptoms of heat syncope include: Light-headedness Dizziness Fainting Proper first aid for heat syncope includes: Sit or lie down in a cool place when symptoms first appear. Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports beverage. Symptoms of heat cramps include muscle pain or spasms usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs. Proper first aid for heat cramps includes: Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place. Drink clear juice or a sports beverage. Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion could lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Symptoms of heat rash include a red cluster of pimples or small blisters most likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases. Proper first aid for heat rash includes keep the affected area dry and use powder.

Preventing Heat-Induced Illnesses and Injuries

Topic: Heat Stress

Preventing Heat-Induced Illnesses and Injuries

The heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity can occur with excessive exposure to a hot work environment.

Heat-induced disorders include:

• Transient heat fatigue,
• Heat rash,
• Fainting,
• Heat cramps,
• Heat exhaustion, and
• Heatstroke.

Aside from these disorders, heat poses the threat of injuries because of accidents caused by slippery palms as a result of sweating, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Severe burns can also occur as a direct result of accidental contact with hot surfaces and steam.

The information on heat-induced occupational illnesses, injuries, and reduced productivity, as well as methods that can be taken to reduce risk. The individuals can avoid heat-related illness by advice includes:

Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him or her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar: These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Stay indoors, if possible, in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

Take a cool shower or bath, or move to an air-conditioned place. These are much better ways to cool off than using electric fans. Fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.

Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children
• People aged 65 or older
• People who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

Why It Matters

• Heat illnesses can be very serious—even deadly in some cases and with some high-risk populations.
• Your workers need to know how to protect themselves from the heat both on and off the job.
• As the summer wears on, workers may think they’ve gotten used to the heat and not be as cautious; continue to give them frequent reminders and brief training sessions all summer long to keep everyone safe.