Heat stress is an illness that can be caused when our body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Be aware how serious overexposure to extreme heat can be and know what to do if you or a co-worker is suffering from a heat related illness.
Recognize the signs of these heat stress illnesses:
Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke.
- Heat cramps are usually experienced as muscle spasms or cramping in the stomach, arms and the back of the legs or calves (emergency steps are to drink more water and take breaks in cool place)
- Heat exhaustion symptoms include headaches, dizziness, weakness, wet skin, confusion, nausea, or vomiting (emergency steps are to remove from the hot area, provide water, cool with cold compresses to the head, neck, and face and seek medical attention if conditions worsen or if they seemed confused, disoriented, or lose consciousness)
- Heat stroke is deadly; symptoms include red, hot and dry skin, confusion, fainting, and convulsions (call 911, remove from hot area, cool by removing outer clothing and fanning the worker and apply wet towels/rags on their body)
How to prevent and minimize potential heat stress:
- To ensure hydration; start drinking water before arriving at the workplace
- Keep drinking water throughout the day; OSHA recommends 4 cups of water per hour if the temperature and humidity is high
- Take short breaks and rest in the shade during periods of high heat and high humidity; this allows your body to release some of the extra heat
Ensure employees know where water containers and rest areas are located in the workplace; especially, if working in high heat and high humid conditions. To help prevent heat cramps from excessive sweating; discuss benefits of drinking a commercial healthy sports drink with electrolytes along with water to help replenish fluids and nutrients