Who Does IT Affect?
It can affect any human or animal at anytime during the summer months. No one is immune from it even if you are a tough guy. First we must make sure our four legged friends have plenty of water and are in a cool environment. In order to take care of our four legged friends we must take care of ourselves. When the body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat related illness can occur and may result in death.
Instruct everyone who has the potential to be exposed to the heat and those responsible for the activities in a heat-related atmosphere on how to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of heat stress. Inform them how to administer proper First Aid techniques to minimize discomfort and danger in the early stages of heat stress.
Establish procedures among employees so that they watch for developing heat stress signs and symptoms among themselves as well as their four legged friends.
FACTORS THAT MAY INCREASE RISK TO WORKERS
- Direct exposure to the sun for long periods of time
- High temperature and humidity
- Limited air movement (no breeze)
- Physical exertion
- Low fluid consumption
- Poor physical condition or health problems
- Some Medications
Health Issues in Hot Environments
Heat Stroke – This is the most serious Heat related Health problem. Heat Stroke occurs whenthe body’s temperature regulating system fails and body temperature rises to critical levels.Heat Stroke is a Medical Emergency that could result in death.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
- Hot, dry skin, or profuse sweating
If a person shows symptoms of possible Heat Stroke you should do the following:
- Heat Stroke is a life-threatening emergency!!! Call 911 and begin to implement first aid procedures
- Make sure someone stays with the person until EMT arrives
- Move the person to a cool shaded area and remove outer clothing
- Wet the person with cool water and circulate the air to expedite cooling
- Place cold wet cloths or ice all over the body or soak the person’s clothing with cold water
Heat Exhaustion – This is the second most serious of the heat-related health issues.Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine output
If a person shows symptoms of Heat Exhaustion you should do the following:
- Person with signs of heat exhaustion should be checked out by medical personnel by means of immediate transportation to an ER or by calling 911
- Ensure someone stays with the person until they are transported
- Person should be moved from the hot environment and given liquids to drink
- Remove unnecessary clothing including shoes and socks
- Cool the person with cold compresses to the head, neck, and face or have the person wash their head, face, and neck with cold water
- Encourage frequent sips of cool water, if the person is unable to drink, call 911 immediately
Heat Cramps – These are muscle pains usually caused by physical labor in a hot work environment. Heat Cramps are brought on by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating.
If a person shows symptoms of Heat Cramps you should do the following:
- The person should replace fluid loss by drinking water and having a snack, and/or carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquid (sports drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes.
- The person should avoid salt tablets
- Get medical assistance if the person has a heart condition, is on a low sodium diet, or if cramps do not subside within one hour
Heat Rash – This is the most common problem in hot work environments. Heat Rash is caused by sweating and looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. Heat Rash usually appears on the neck, upper chest, in the groin area, under the breasts and in elbow creases.
If a person shows symptoms of Heat Rash you should do the following:
- Attempt to provide a cooler less humid work environment
- Keep the rash area dry
- Powder may be applied to increase comfort
- Ointments and creams should not be used on a heat rash, anything that makes the skin warm or moist may make the rash worse
HEAT STRESS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
The preferred way to prevent heat stress/illness is to make the work environment cooler. If this can’t be accomplished then the following recommendations should be consider:
- Train supervisors and employees on the hazards as well as prevention measures relating to heat illness
- Train employees to recognize symptoms in themselves and others
- When you get a new employee that will normally work in the hot environment, it is suggested that you gradually increase the workload in the heat not all at once having them work in the hot condition
- Provide employees with plenty of cool water in convenient, visible and practical locations through your facility
- Make it a point to remind employees to frequently consume small amounts of water before they become thirsty to ensure good hydration (good rule of thumb in moderately hot conditions is to drink about 1 cup every 15 to 20 minutes)
- Employees should be encouraged to eat regular meals and snacks to provide salt and electrolytes to their system
- When necessary, set up a buddy system where employees check on one another periodically to make sure they are not experiencing any heat related symptoms
- Please note that it may be harmful for individuals to drink extreme amounts of water (more than 12 quarts/48cups) in a 24 hour period
- Monitor weather reports and reschedule jobs with high heat exposure to cooler times of the day when possible
- Reduce physical demands of the job when possible, if this cannot be accomplished, then increase the amount of rest time out of the heat environment
- Fans and/or air conditioning should be provided to increase the air speed over the employees in a hot environment
- Other methods to reduce indoor temperature include providing reflective shields to redirect radiant heat, insulating hot surfaces, and keeping floors dry
***It is highly recommended that you assign first responders who have received CPR/Medic First Aid/AED training, to each shift so that the employees, animals, and human customers can receive immediate attention if necessary***
The information in this document is general in nature and to the best of our knowledge is current at time of publication. There has been no attempt to interpret any government codes, regulations, or standards. Please refer to the appropriate code, standard, or regulatory authority for interpretation or clarification.