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Heat Cold Stress Jon Judge
Heat Cold Stress Jon Judge
ITEC 471
Spring 2003
Jon Judge: Guest Lecturer
What is thermal stress?
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
-define thermal stress
-calculate WGBT (loaded/unloaded)
-recognize control measures for thermal stress
-assess risk/exposure for thermal stress
-determine exposure limits for thermal stress
Thermal Stress
Cooling
External Heat
Source
-WB = 64.1 F
-GT = Temperature reading from thermostat
WBGT Example, cont’d
Step 1 : Convert F temps to C
WBGT = ?
WBGT =
WBGT example, cont’d
Verification of readings :
Using WB temp and WBGT from monitor,
calculate the corresponding GT, which should
agree with the thermostat…if it’s accurate.
* GT = (WBGT – 0.7(WB))/0.3
* convert temp to F - 9/5(Temp C) + 32 = Temp F
Using the readings from WBGT
Acclimatized Unacclimatized
Acclimatization
-The process whereby the body adapts to the
temperature variations of the area.
muscles
10
organs
8
0
cool hot
How does the body rid itself of
excess heat?
There are 4 means of heat removal from the body.
Convection
Radiation
Evaporation
Conduction
Convection
Convection is the transfer of heat by movements
of air masses.
Air cooling
Sweat vapor
Sweat droplet
Conduction
Conduction is the process where energy is
transferred between objects through direct
contact.
Hot Cold
Heat loss, cont’d
First Aid: Immediate, aggressive cooling of the victim’s body using wet
cloths, immersion into cool water or using alcohol wipes. Transport
to emergency medical facility.
Seriousness: Heat Stroke is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Without
outside intervention, the victim will die. By the time the victim
realizes s/he is in trouble, it is usually too late to employ effective
self-intervention procedures that can reverse the thermo-regulatory
failure and reduce core temperatures. Recovery times from heat
stroke are generally the longest of any heat-related disorder.
Heat Injuries, cont’d
Indirect Heat-Related Health Effects:
Administrative controls
Sweat that drips off your body no longer allows for cooling
by evaporation; thus, unless there’s another medical reason
for it, this is a sign that your body is heating up
-Frostnip
-Frostbite
-Immersion foot (trench foot)
Frostnip
Frostnip is the freezing of upper layers of the skin.
Characterized by:
- white, waxy skin.
- general numbness
Characterized by:
- white, and feels “woody”
- numbness, possible anesthesia
- deep frostbite can affect bone and muscle
- purple/black color is from ruptured blood
vessels
Frostbite – a view
Frostbite - treatment
Immerse affected area in 105 – 110 degree F
water until thawing is complete.
- part will be extremely painful
Wrap affected part in sterile gauze
Affected part should not be used for anything
- keep part from refreezing
Chart
Immersion Foot – trench foot
Immersion foot is caused by prolonged exposure of the
feet to wet, cool conditions.
Characterized by:
- yellowish, smelly feet
- possibly numb
- sloughing of skin tissue/itching