SafetyBanners for Heat Stress and Heat Stroke Prevention

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Heat stress is a serious problem which can be averted with reasonable heat stress awareness among your workers. Heat stress prevention does take some time and effort, but the results save lives and keep your workers safe.

Workers who are exposed to heat stress and extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in on teh job illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat, especially extreme heat, can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns may also occur as a result of accidental contact with hot surfaces or steam.

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Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, and others. Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat. Prevention of heat stress in American workers is important. Most employers provide training and heat stress awareness to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.

Protecting Workers from Heat Stress and Heat Illness.

Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoided. There are precautions your employer should take any time temperatures are high and the job involves physical work.

Risk Factors for Heat Illness

• High temperature and humidity, direct sun exposure, no breeze or wind.

• Low liquid intake

• Heavy physical labor

• Waterproof clothing

• No recent exposure to hot workplaces

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

• Headache, dizziness, or fainting

• Weakness and wet skin

• Irritability or confusion

• Thirst, nausea, or vomiting

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

• May be confused, unable to think clearly, pass out,collapse, or have seizures (fits)

• May stop sweating To Prevent Heat Illness,Your Employer Should

• Establish a complete heat illness prevention program.

• Provide training about the hazards leading to heat stress and how to prevent them.

• Provide a lot of cool water to workers close to the work area. At least one pint of water per hour is needed.

• Modify work schedules and arrange frequent rest periods with water breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.

• Gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for workers new to the heat or those that have been away from work to adapt to working in the heat (acclimatization).

• Routinely check workers who are at risk of heat stress due to protective clothing and high temperature.

• Consider protective clothing that provides cooling. How You Can Protect Yourself and Others

• Know signs/symptoms of heat illnesses; monitor yourself; use a buddy system.

• Block out direct sun and other heat sources.

• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink often and BEFORE you are thirsty. Drink water every 15 minutes.

• Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.

• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes.

What to Do When a Worker is Ill from the Heat

• Call a supervisor for help. If the supervisor is not available, call 911.

• Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.

• Move the worker to a cooler/shaded area.

• Remove outer clothing.

• Fan and mist the worker with water; apply ice (ice bags or ice towels).

• Provide cool drinking water, if able to drink.

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