SAFETY TIPS
Beating
the Heat
What Can You Do About the Heat?
In many cases, it is difficult,
if not impossible, to control the temperature and humidity within our work
environments, so we must adjust our bodies to the ambient conditions instead.
Gradually acclimatizing ourselves to physical work within the heat is
necessary for our bodies to adjust to the conditions.
This should consist of increasingly longer work periods in the heat each
day, alternating them with breaks or lighter work duties.
Some individuals can fully adjust to the heat within a week, while others
may take longer periods of time.
Food & Water Intake Suggestions:
The single most important step you can take is to replenish water
used up by your body’s cooling
mechanisms. Your fluid intake should roughly equal fluid loss throughout the
workday. Get in the habit of
drinking about 6
ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty.
The water temperature should be around 60o F to maximize fluid
absorption by the body. Most people
don’t
realize that hot foods add directly to your body heat and that heavy meals
reduce your ability to get rid of heat. You
can help yourself by having a light, cool midday meal,
and saving your heaviest meal until after you finish your outside work
activities.
Factors Affecting Heat Stress:
Some of the conditions that can
impede your body’s natural ability to withstand high temperatures include:
-
Previous
occurrences of heat stroke
-
Poor
overall physical health or conditioning
-
Obesity
-
Lack
of acclimatization to conditions
-
Improper
work procedures
-
Incorrect
type or amount of clothing (Light colored clothing reflects sunlight and
resists heat load, while dark clothing absorbs heat and adds to heat load)
-
Dehydration
(unmanaged water loss)
-
Medications
that inhibit sweating, such as antihistamines, cold
medications and diuretics
.
-
Consumption
of beverages or foods that contain caffeine, as they contribute to
dehydration
.
-
Recent
drug or alcohol usage (within 24 hours)
-
Fatigue
or loss of sleep
-
Exposure
to high temperatures at night.
-
Age
(particularly 40 and over)
Heat Exhaustion:
Heat
exhaustion occurs when the body’s heat control mechanism becomes overactive.
The victim may suffer from heat cramps, with a high risk of progressing
into heat stroke. This disorder
poses special risks to older individuals or those with coronary artery disease
or emphysema.
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Symptoms
of Heat Exhaustion: |
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- Weak and rapid pulse
(120-200 beats per minute)
|
- Intense thirst from
dehydration
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- Low to normal blood
pressure
|
- Cool, moist skin (clammy
and pale)
|
- Fatigue, weakness or loss
of coordination.
|
First
Aid:
(1) Move the
person into a shaded area.
(2) Loosen any
constrictive clothing
and boots.
(3) Fan the
person to cool them
down. In
some cases
you may
have to
wet them
down.
(4) Have the person drink water.
(5) Elevate the victim’s legs.
(6) Stay with the person until medical help arrives.
Heat Stroke:
Heat
stroke is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
It is considered a catastrophic illness with a high death rate.
Heat stroke is more easily caused when the body has suffered a previous
heat-related injury.
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Symptoms
of Heat Stroke: |
- High body temperature (105
-110o F)
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- Hot, red (flushed) dry skin
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First
Aid:
(1) Move the individual to a shaded area.
(2) Immediately
lower the individual’s body
temperature, such as by wetting them down with cold water.
(3) Fan the individual to aid in the cooling process.
(4) As soon as an ambulance arrives, the individual should be taken to
the hospital.
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