-- Heat Stress -- Training PPT

Heat Stress is a serious concern in occupational health and safety.
It is important we carry out more awareness on heat stress to reduce incidents relating to heat stress.

1. MANAGINGHEATSTRESS
Developed By: Naveed Ahmed

2. MANAGINGHEATSTRESS
Heatstresscanbemorethanaminorinconvenienceforthosewhoworkin
extremelywarmconditions.Knowinghowtoprevent,identifyandtreatits
symptomscanliterallysavelives.
Heat from the sun or work environment can createa
life threateningemergency.
Heat stress occurs when the core bodytemperature
rises and cannot be cooled bysweating.
Ourbodiesmaintainafairlyconstantinternal
temperatureeventhoughexposedtovarying
environmentaltemperatures.
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 98.6ºF.

3. The Body’s Response to Heat
The body tries to maintain a constant internal
temperature
When the internal temperature rises, the body
attempts to get rid of excess heat by:
Increasing blood flow to skin surface
Releasing sweat onto skin surface

4. EffectsofHeatStressOnYourBody
Skinrash
Musclecramps
Exhaustion
Fainting
Heat Stroke -lifethreatening!

5. Effects of Body’s Response
Reduced blood flow to brain
•Reduced mental alertness and
comprehension
Reduced blood flow to active
muscles
•Fatigue, loss of strength
Increased sweating
•Slipperiness
Potential result of = a Higher rate of mistakes/injuries
too much heat

6. ExternalFactorsAffectingHeatStress
Humidity
Radiantheat(hotequipment,vesselsand
sun)
Airmovement
Clothing
Work rate (difficulty ofwork)
If these not controlled,
HEAT STRESS MAYOCCUR!

7. High air temperature reduces
effectiveness of the cooling system
High humidity reduces evaporation rate of
sweat
Excess loss of sodium
Dehydration (common)
When Cooling Mechanisms Fail

8. HeatRash
Heat rash is the most common problem in hot workenvironments.
Symptoms
Prickly heat shown as red bumpson
the skin; usually appears in areas
where the clothing isrestrictive
Sweat ducts plug; sweatcannot
freely evaporate fromskin
Prevention
Wear breathable clothing (e.g.cotton)
Cleanse skinthoroughly
Treatment
Keep skindry
Apply calaminelotion
Sleep in coollocation

9. HeatCramps
Cramps may result after excessive sweating anddehydration.
Symptoms
Shriveled skin, sunken eyes, dry mouth /tongue
Severe pain and cramps in legs andabdomen
Weakness, dizziness orfainting
Profusesweating
Headaches
Treatment
Increase fluid / saltintake
Drink at least 16 ounces of water perhour
Rest and move to a coolplace

10. HeatExhaustion
Blood moves toward the outer body toremoveheat.Blood poolsin
the skin leaving less for thebrain.
Symptoms
Fatigue, headache, dizziness, profuse sweating,rapid
pulse, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and
fainting
Treatment
Get to a shaded area andcooloff;use cold wettowels
or ice andfan
Drink lots of water; may needIV
Loosen clothing and elevate legs aboveheart
If condition worsens, seek medicalattention
immediately
If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to HEATSTROKE!

11. HeatStroke
A medical emergency and life-threatening condition caused byfailure
of heat-regulating mechanisms of the body due to high heat and
humidity. The body’s core temperature rises and stopssweating.
Symptoms
Hot, red skin and NOsweating
Rapid pulse, confusion andnausea
Possible convulsions andunconsciousness
Treatment
Move to a cooler location and loosenclothing
Immerse in cool water or wrap in wetsheets
Apply cold compresses to head, neck andgroin
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTIONIMMEDIATELY!

12. Dehydration
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTIONIMMEDIATELY!
Cause:
Excessive fluid loss
Signs & symptoms:
Fatigue, weakness, dry mouth
Treatment:
Fluids and salt replacement

13. Work-related Factors
Workload
Type of work
Level of physical activity
Time spent working
Clothing
Weight (heavy v. breathable)
Color (dark v. light)
Personal protective equipment
and clothing

14. Personal Factors
Age
Weight/fitness
Use of drugs, alcohol, caffeine,
medication
Prior heat-related illness

15. Prevention
Drink lots of water (at least 16 ounces perhour),
even if notthirsty
Start drinking water before you startwork
Avoid beverages containing alcohol orcaffeine
Get used to the heat for short periods, followedby
longer periods ofwork
Alternate work and rest breaks, with longerbreaks
in coolerareas
Work in teams to limit strenuousactivity

16. Prevention(cont.)
Ensure adequateventilation
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting,light-colored
clothing (e.g.cotton)
Notify your Supervisor at first sign of anyproblem
Keep an eye on your coworkers. Use abuddy
system.
Check your urine color for signs ofdehydration

17. WARNING!
In the course of a day's work in the heat,
you could sweat as much as 2-3gallons.
Drink an adequate amount ofwater,
even when you are notthirsty.
You should drink 16 ounces of fluids
every hour to replenish thenecessary
fluids in thebody.
By the time you feel thirsty, youare
already10%dehydrated.
Urine color gives indication ofhydration
state (i.e. if urine is dark, drink more
water).

18. WhattoDoWhenaWorkerisillfromHeat
Call a First Responder / Supervisorforhelp.Ifthey
are not available, call300 / 400
Have someone stay with the worker untilhelp
arrives
Move the worker to a cooler / shadedarea
Remove outerclothing
Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice(ice
bags or icetowels)
Provide cool drinking water, if able todrink
IF THE WORKER IS NOT ALERT or seems confused, this may be a heat
stroke.CALL MEDICAL EMERGENCY IMMEDIATELY and apply ice as
soon aspossible!

19. Quiz
Circle the best answer to eachstatement.
1.In the course of a day’s work in heat, a person can sweat as much as 2-3 gallons. True orFalse
2.Heat stress occurs when the core body temperature rises and cannot be cooled by sweating. True
orFalse
3.Humidity is not an external factor associated with heat stress. True orFalse
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 orFalse
6.Headaches and dizziness are not symptoms of heat exhaustion. True orFalse
7.Hot, red skin and no sweating are symptoms of heat stroke. True orFalse
8.If someone is having a heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately. True orFalse
9.Applying ice is not recommended for treating someone taken ill from the heat. True orFalse
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 orFalse
12.Darker urine color is an indicator of dehydration. True or False