Heat Stress

This week’s Toolbox Talk focuses on working in extreme heat and some of the effects it can have on our bodies while working in extreme temperatures. 

 

This week we focus on heat stress and heat related illnesses that can occur under extreme temperatures and humidity.  The most serious heat-related illness is Heat Stroke.  Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature and the body is unable to cool down.  When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 to 15 minutes.  Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability of emergency treatment is not given.

 

Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:

 

• Call 911 for emergency medical care.
• Stay with worker until emergency medical services arrive.
• Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
• Cool the worker quickly with a cold water or ice bath if possible; wet the skin, place cold wet cloths on skin, or soak clothing with cool water.
• Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
• Place cold wet cloths or ice on head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

 

 

 Heat Exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating.  Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure and those employees working in a hot environment.

 

 

Treat a worker suffering from heat exhaustion with the following:

 

• Take worker to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
• If medical care is unavailable, call 911.
• Someone should stay with worker until help arrives.
• Remove worker from hot area and give liquids to drink.
• Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
• Cool the worker with cold compresses or have the worker wash head, face, and neck with cold water.
• Encourage frequent sips of cool water.

 

Another condition that can occur when working in extreme heat is Heat Syncope.  This condition is a fainting episode or dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or a sudden rise from squatting or sitting down.  Factors that contribute to heat syncope include dehydration and your body use to working in the heat.

 

Workers with heat syncope should:

 

• Sit or lie down in a cool place.
• Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports drink.

 

Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat a lot during strenuous work activities.  This sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels.  Low-salt levels in muscles causes painful cramps in arms, legs, back and abdomen.  Heat cramps may also be an early symptom of heat exhaustion.

 

Workers with heat cramps should:

 

• Drink water and have a snack and/or carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquid (e.g., sports drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Get medical help if the worker has heart problems, is on a low sodium diet, or if cramps do not subside within 1 hour.

 

These are the main heat related illnesses that can occur when working in extreme heat.  Understanding each illness and knowing the symptoms of heat related illnesses can help all of us know how to properly respond with first aid treatment and help keep each other safe on the jobsite.  Thanks for reading and remember to always hydrate and monitor each person you are working with. 

Estimated time to read: 5 Minutes

Which heat illness is usually the most serious?

What is Heat Syncope?

Name 3 ways to treat a worker with heat stroke?