Heat stress

Heat Stress Safety

1. Heat Stress & Personal Protective
Equipment
May Safety Meeting

2. Heat StressHeat Stress

3. Heat Stress
Heat stress occurs when high body
temperatures break down the body’s ability
to function normally.
–Problems resulting from heat stress
Dehydration
Heat Cramps – Usually first sign of heat stress
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke

4. Heat cramps
Painful muscle spasms that occur when
a person drinks large amounts of water
but fails to replace the body’s salt loss
–Usually controlled by
drinking fluids that
contain electrolyte
replacements

5. Heat Exhaustion
Some Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
–Intense thirst
–Fatigue
–Weakness
–Dehydration
–Moist, clammy skin
–Pale or flushed complexion
–Body temp normal or slightly higher
Typically treated by resting in a cool place
and replacing fluids and minerals

6. If heat cramps or heat exhaustion is not properly treated, the
condition can quickly escalate into a HEAT STROKE
Body will no longer be able to
cool itself
Temperatures can rise
dangerously high resulting in
brain damage or death
Heat Stroke

7. –Hot, dry, flushed
skin
–Very small
pupils
–Extremely high
body
temperature
(106
o
or higher)
–Mental
confusion,
convulsions or
coma
Symptoms of a Heat Stroke

8. Your body tries to prevent heat stress by
maintaining your “normal” body
temperature – 98.6
￮
F
–As body temp rises, more blood rises to the skin
releasing heat
–Sweating – utilized by the body to help stabilize
internal temp
Warm sweat releases heat from the body
Cools the skin as the sweat evaporates
Heat Stress

9. What is Dehydration?
Dehydration occurs when the amount of water
leaving the body is greater than the amount
being taken in.
In a normal day, a
person has to drink a
significant amount of
water to replace this
routine loss.
The body is very
dynamic and
always changing.
This is especially
true with water
levels in the
body. We lose
water routinely
when

10. When the body tries to maintain the
“normal” temperature, fluids & minerals
are used
–Replacing fluids and minerals is essential for
the body to function properly
Heat Stress

11. Heat Stress
Human body can lose up to 1 quart of fluid an hour through
sweating
–Recommendation: Drink 5-7 ounces of liquid every 15 minutes
–DO NOT depend on your thirst alone to tell you how much and how
often to drink
Minerals ( such as Potassium and Phosphate) are also lost
–Electrolyte drinks are often used to replace minerals
Gatorade, PowerAde, etc
–Eating foods that replacement mineral loss (i.e. bananas, kiwi, etc.)
Drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks when you are hot or after
heavy exertion encourages fluid loss

12. Heat Stress & Dehydration
The body can lose significant amounts of water
when it tries to cool itself by sweating.
The body uses a significant amount of water in
the form of sweat to cool itself.
Depending upon weather conditions,
a brisk walk will generate up to 16 ounces of sweat
(one pound of water).

13. Treating a Heat Stress Victim
Ice packs or wet towels at
neck, armpits, groin area
Loosen clothing
Sipping cool water, juice,
or sports drinks if tolerated
Notify the Supervisor and / or the Safety Office
immediately
Remove the employee from the heat and/or
sunlight

14. Methods to Prevent Heat Stress
Work Practices
–Availability of drinking water
–Providing electrolyte replacements –
Squincher / Gatorade / etc.
–Training
Engineering controls
–Fans
–Spot coolers / Air
conditioning vents

15. Acclimatization
–Employees who are new or who have been out of
the heat for 5 or more days may notice that they
may not be adjusted to the heat in the same
manner as before
May notice symptoms such as
–Slightly higher body temperature
–Higher pulse rate
–General discomfort and fatigue
–Profuse sweating
These symptoms are considered to be “normal” as the
body gets adjusted to the heat, which may take from 3 –
14 days

16. Drink plenty of fluids
Take breaks in break rooms where the temperature is cooler
While becoming acclimatized, it is important to
Allow your body time to get used to the
heat – don’t expect the same tolerance as
before if you have been out of the heat for
a number of days or have little to no
exposure to the heat
On days off, plan to be outdoors and
active in the heat as much as possible.
–Being a “couch potato” on your days off
does not keep you acclimatized as well as
being active while you are off

17. Make an effort to replace
lost fluids and minerals
Take periodic breaks from
the heat
Wear the appropriate type
of clothing for the work
area
Stay physically fit and
heat tolerant
Methods to Prevent Heat Stress
*WATER is usually best;
sports drinks are also good

18. • Learn to recognize early signs and symptoms
• Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol
Food and drinks containing
CAFFEINE or ALCOHOL* will
remove water from body cells and
INCREASE URINATION /FLUID
LOSS/DEHYDRATION
Many sodas contain caffeine as well
as coffee or tea.
READ THE LABEL FIRST
Methods to Prevent Heat Stress