Working in the Heat

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Dangers of Working in the Heat (Part 1)

They all tend to work at high temperatures.

Who is at Risk? Construction workers, firefighters, factory workers, and other occupations that combine manual labor with high temperature settings are at a higher risk of heat stress compared to workers in more sedentary roles. Workers over 65 years old; overweight workers; workers with heart conditions or high blood pressure; and workers who take regular medications are also highly susceptible to heat stress.

Aside from hyperthermia, what are the other risks associated with working at high temperatures? Select all correct answers

Heat Exhaustion After prolonged excessive sweating, the body experiences heat exhaustion. Elderly workers, as well as those who suffer from high blood pressure, are especially susceptible to heat exhaustion.

.. headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, high body temperature, and heavy sweating, among others.

Heat Stroke If the symptoms of an affected worker's heat exhaustion is not adequately relieved, their condition can worsen and turn into a full-fledged heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious condition which can lead to death or permanent disability if proper treatment is not provided.

Symptoms of heat stroke include: loss of consciousness, confusion, and slurred speech; profuse sweating, or hot but dry skin; extreme body temperature; and seizures

Heat Stroke: First Aid Response Call 911 ASAP Move the affected worker to a cool room or area and remove outer layers of clothing for better heat dissipation Lower the affected worker's temperature quickly by dousing them with cold water, or putting them in an ice bath (if available) Ensure air circulation in the room is good for faster cooling Wet cloths with cold water and place on the affected worker's head, neck, groin, and armpits

Dangers of Working in the Heat (Part 2)

The death of muscle tissue results in the release of electrolytes and large proteins into the bloodstream...

...potentially causing arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms), seizures, or worse, permanent kidney damage.

Rhabdomyolysis: First Aid Response Immediately stop all physical activities for the affected worker Encourage increased consumption of liquids (preferably water) Seek immediate professional care from the nearest clinic or hospital Specifically ask to be checked for rhabdomyolysis, so blood samples can be analyzed for ck (creatine kinase); a potent indicator of substantial muscle damage

What should you give a colleague who's experiencing really bad heat cramps? Regular drinking water, or carbohydrate-electrolyte water (sports drinks) should be given to workers experiencing heat cramps.

What should you give a colleague who's experiencing really bad heat cramps? Regular drinking water, or carbohydrate-electrolyte water (sports drinks) should be given to workers experiencing heat cramps.

What should you give a colleague who's experiencing really bad heat cramps? Regular drinking water, or carbohydrate-electrolyte water (sports drinks) should be given to workers experiencing heat cramps.

Check for any unusual spots in your skin, and take note of any changes in size, shape, or color during a period of 1 month to 1 or 2 years.

Similarly, watch out for scaly red spots or waxy nodules growing on your skin (paying extra attention to parts of your skin often exposed to direct sunlight).

A typical symptom of Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, are asymmetrical moles with uneven color distribution and a diameter that is often greater than 6 mm.

Control Measures, PPEs, and Best Practices

Knowledge saves lives. This is why adequate training on heat related illnesses, and what we can do to prevent them, is paramount to keeping workers safe in high temperature settings.

Train workers before sending them out to work in high temperature settings.

Make sure to customize the training to ensure relevancy to the worker's specific worksite conditions.

Employers are responsible for providing relevant training to workers, supervisors, and managers, regarding the following points.

Hydration for Workers Employers must ensure that adequate hydration is available to all workers: Potable water must be available, must be <15°C (59°F), and is easily accessible near the work area Check how much water is needed depending on the number of active workers, and assign someone to regularly check on the water supply and ensure that enough is always available Individual drinking cups must be provided -- no sharing Remind workers to stay hydrated

Those working in the heat for less than 2 hours doing only moderate physical work, should drink 1 cup (8 oz.) of water every 15 minutes or so.

For extended work in the heat exceeding two hours at a time, sports drinks with a good balance of electrolytes is ideal -- this helps workers stay at healthy salt levels to stave off cramps, dizziness, and vomiting.

Never drink alcohol while working. You should also avoid sugary, and highly-caffeinated drinks while working in the heat.

In most cases, six cups of water per hour of work is ideal.

Aside from hyperthermia, what are the other risks associated with working at high temperatures? Select all correct answers