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Heat Stress

Heat Stress. The Heat Equation. High Temperature Plus High Humidity Plus Physical Work EQUAL HEAT ILLNESS. Working in Hot Weather. Farming Land Surveying Bakeries Laundries Restaurant Kitchens Boilers Rooms Brick & Ceramics firing OUTDOOR work in hot weather. The Body's Response.

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Heat Stress

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  1. Heat Stress

  2. The Heat Equation • High Temperature Plus • High Humidity Plus • Physical Work EQUAL HEAT ILLNESS

  3. Working in Hot Weather • Farming • Land Surveying • Bakeries • Laundries • Restaurant Kitchens • Boilers Rooms • Brick & Ceramics firing • OUTDOOR work in hot weather

  4. The Body's Response • Temperature is maintained by the blood circulating through skin • The heart pumps more blood; vessels expand; capillaries carry heat to upper layers of skin

  5. The Body's Response • Excess heat released by sweat glands • Evaporation of sweat cools skin

  6. Safety Problems • Heat Promotes Accidents! • Slippery palms • Dizziness • Fogging of safety glasses • Burns from contact with hot surfaces

  7. Health Problems • Working in excessive heat can bring about a variety of Heat-Induced disorders.

  8. Forms of Heat Illness • Heat Cramps • Muscle spasms • Heat Exhaustion • Body’s cooling mechanism overworked • Heat Stroke • Life-threatening emergency • Body’s cooling mechanism breaks down

  9. Prickly Heat • Heat rash from plugged sweat glands can be very uncomfortable • Wash and dry skin regularly

  10. Fainting • Enlarged vessels in skin may cause blood to pool rather than return to heart • Standing erect and immobile adds to risk

  11. Heat Cramps • Can be caused by drinking Large amounts of water without replacing the salt • May occur while working or later • See your Dr. if you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet!!

  12. Signs of Heat Exhaustion • Heavy sweating • Cool, damp skin • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Rapid breathing • Severe thirst

  13. Signs of Early Heat Stroke • Usually NO SWEATING • HOT >RED>DRY skin • High body temperature • Difficult breathing • Severe headache, dizziness, nausea • Confusion, bizarre behavior

  14. Prepare for the Heat • Acclimate: 5 to 7 days to adjust Heat illness more common in new works who have not had time to adjust to high temps

  15. Chill Out • Drink lots of fluids even if not thirsty • Take breaks in cool, shady spot • Wear a wide-brimmed hat • Wear cool, absorbent clothes (if applicable) • Light color • Lightweight • Loose weave • Loose fit unless working near machinery

  16. Lessening the Stress • Postpone nonessential tasks • Engineering controls: Mechanization of procedures; ventilation; heat shields • Fans; open windows • Rest Areas near the work area

  17. Immediately inform site supervisor if you feel ill!

  18. Sun Exposure • Sunlight contains Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) • Premature Aging of Skin • Wrinkles • Cataracts • Skin Cancer

  19. Skin Cancer-High Risk Groups: • Numerous, irregular or large moles • Freckles • Fair Skin • Blonds, Red Heads, light brown hair

  20. Skin Cancer • Any spot on skin that changes in size, shape or color • Sores that don’t heal • Red, scaly patches • Pale, wax-like nodules

  21. Prevent Sunburn • Cover up • Wear sunblock—not suntan lotion!-- on all exposed skin • Wear UV-absorbent sunglasses

  22. Skin Cancer Prevention: Limit Exposure to the Sun!

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