MANAGING HEAT

STRESS

Prepared by: Dan Sawall

dan.sawall@yahoo.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dansawall
 MANAGING HEAT STRESS
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.

 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.

 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
Heat rash is the most common problem in hot work
environments.
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
Heat
Cramps
Cramps may result after excessive sweating and
dehydration.

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
 Heat
Exhaustion
Blood moves toward the outer body to remove heat. Blood pools
in the skin leaving less for the brain.
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
If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to
HEAT STROKE!
Heat
Stroke
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.

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
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!
 Quiz
Circle 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