Spring Safety Bulletin
Spring Safety Bulletin
April 2014
HEAT STRESS
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat and
humidity while engaged in work activities can be at risk
for heat illnesses, such as heat stroke (life threatening),
heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.
How does the body regulate heat?
Trivia Questions? (Answers on Pg. 2)
1. What is the largest organ in the
human body?
2. How much do your feet sweat?
3. How much water do you need on
a hot summer day (95°F & 40%
relative humidity?
As the body core heats up, our skin acts as a radiator,
dissipating heat through convection with cooler
surroundings and sweat. Once the air temperature
reaches 95°F, the skin starts to have difficulty cooling
the body and the heat load increases, putting you at an
increased risk for heat illness. Also, there are many risk
factors (pg. 2) that play a key role in your body’s
response to heat. Prevention and knowing your body’s
response is the key to avoiding heat related difficulties.
Did you Know: According to the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4,420 workers
became ill and 61 died from heat related trauma in 2011.
Type of Heat Illnesses
Heat stroke is the most serious form of heat-related illness and happens when the body becomes
unable to regulate its core temperature. Sweating stops and the body can no longer rid itself of
excess heat. Signs include confusion, loss of consciousness, and seizures. Heat stroke is a medical
emergency that may result in death! Call 911 immediately.
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to losing water and salt as a result of heavy sweating.
Signs include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, and heavy sweating.
Heat cramps is caused by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating. Low salt levels in
muscles cause painful cramps. Tired muscles are usually the ones most affected by cramps.
Cramps may occur during or after working hours.
Heat rash is also known as prickly heat which is skin irritation caused by sweat that does not
evaporate from the skin. Heat rash is the most common problem in hot work environments.
Spring Safety Bulletin
Spring Safety Bulletin
April 2014
Examples of Risk Activities
•
•
•
•
Grounds crew mowing grass at 2pm on a 95°F day with 60% relative humidity
Campus Police in uniform with a bullet proof vest working traffic in late August
Researcher working on the farm in the summer months
Facilities staff repairing an air handler in July
Now add any of the risk factors
Trivia Answers
Some Risk Factors to Consider
1. Your Skin
2. You have over 500,000 sweat glands in your feet and
expect about 2 cups of sweat on a normal day without
adding exertion to the equation.
3. On a typical hot Georgia summer day, you should
drink at least 1-2 quart of cold water for every hour of
moderate exertion.
• Age
• Genetics
• Unusual exertion (i.e. sports,
military training)
• Sudden exposure to hot weather
• A lack of air conditioning
• Certain medications
• Health conditions
• Prior heat illness
Ways to Prevent Heat Illness
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Remember the symptoms and take action immediately
Hydrate before work periods
Take rest periods
Maintain cold water and sports drinks near the work area (rule of thumb - one pint of water
per hour)
Avoid short sleeve or short pants
Wear lighter color clothing
Keep an eye on fellow workers (Buddy System)
Find shade
Avoid caffeinated drinks
Acknowledgements
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Center for Disease Control
Mayo Clinic
Spring Safety Bulletin
Spring Safety Bulletin
April 2014
How do you know if you are being affected by the heat?
Heat Stroke
Symptoms
• May be confused, unable to
think clearly, pass out,
collapse, or have seizures
• Excessive sweating OR red,
hot, dry skin (may stop
sweating)
• Very high body temperature
Fainting
Heat Exhaustion
•
•
•
•
Headache, dizziness, or fainting
Weakness and wet skin
Irritability or confusion
Thirst, nausea, or vomiting
Heat Cramps
• Muscle spasms
• Pain
• Usually in abdomen, arms, or
legs
Heat Rash
• Clusters of red bumps on skin
• Often appears on neck, upper
chest, folds of skin
First Aid*
• Call 911
While waiting for help:
• Place worker in shady, cool area
• Loosen clothing, remove outer
clothing
• Fan air on worker; cold packs in
armpits
• Wet worker with cool water; apply
ice packs, cool compresses, or ice if
available
• Provide fluids (preferably water) as
soon as possible
• Stay with worker until help arrives
• Have worker sit or lie down in a cool,
shady area
• Give worker plenty of water or other
cool beverages to drink
• Cool worker with cold
compresses/ice packs
• Take to clinic or emergency room for
medical evaluation or treatment if
signs or symptoms worsen or do not
improve within 60 minutes.
• Have worker rest in shady, cool area
• Worker should drink water or other
cool beverages
• Wait a few hours before allowing
worker to return to strenuous work
• Have worker seek medical attention
if cramps don't go away
• Try to work in a cooler, less humid
environment when possible
• Keep the affected area dry
*Use this information as a guide only to help workers in need
Spring Safety Bulletin
Spring Safety Bulletin
April 2014
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