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Heat Stress In Construction
Environment
Leader’s Guide
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WARRANTY/DISCLAIMER
"This program has been created to assist companies that are endeavoring to educate their employees
regarding good safety and health practices. The information contained in this program is the
information available to the producers of the program at the time of its production. All information
in this program should be reviewed for accuracy and appropriateness by companies using the
program to assure that it conforms to their situation and recommended procedures, as well as to any
state, federal or other laws, standards and regulations governing their operations. There is no
warranty, expressed or implied, that the information in this program is accurate or appropriate for
any particular company's environment."
Copyright 2009, The MARCOM Group, Ltd.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
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INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM
C Structure and organization
C Background
C Objectives
C Reviewing the program
1
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PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION
C Structuring the presentation
C Setting up the class and classroom
2
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CONDUCTING THE SESSION
C The initial steps
C Showing the program
C Using the program for "Tailgate Meetings"
and "Toolbox Talks"
C Conducting the discussion
C Concluding the presentation
C "Wrapping up" the paperwork
3
$
OUTLINE OF MAJOR POINTS IN THE PROGRAM
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1
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM
Structure and Organization
Information in this program is presented in a definite order, so that employees will see the
relationships between the various groups of information and can retain them more easily. The
sections included in the program are:
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Situations leading to heat-related illnesses.
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Heat stress and the body's cooling system.
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Other heat-related illnesses.
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Preparing to work in hot environments.
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Treating heat-related illnesses.
Each of the sections covers important information in one topic area, providing employees with the
basis for understanding the basic concepts of heat stress and other heat-related illnesses.
Background
The body is a powerful machine, capable of performing massive amounts of work. And like any machine,
when it's pushed hard, your body can produce a lot of heat. Whether you're outside under a hot sun or
bundled up against the cold, you need to be careful when your body heats up.
As it gets hot, your body has to work hard to prevent itself from overheating.
Of course, the hotter the area where you're working, the harder it is to cool off. If your body gets too hot it
can suffer "heat stress" and other heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat
stroke.
Objectives
To help show employees that heat-related illnesses can occur in many environments, as well as what
can be done to address these situations, this education and training program is designed to present
fundamental information on heat stress and similar illnesses. Upon completion of the program,
employees should:
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Be able to recognize situations that can lead to heat stress and other heat-related
illnesses.
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Understand the differences between heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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Know how the body reacts to heat.
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Be able to recognize symptoms of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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Know what steps can be taken to prevent heat stress as well as other heat-related
illnesses.
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Understand what types of basic first aid can be helpful when dealing with fellow
employees who experience heat-related illnesses.
Reviewing the Program
As with any educational program, the presenter should go through the entire program at least once to
become familiar with the content and make sure the program is consistent with company policy and
directives. An "Outline of Major Program Points" is included in this Presenter's Guide to help with
this task and for general reference.
As part of this review process, you should determine how you, as the presenter, will conduct your
session. The use of materials such as handouts, charts, etc., that may be available to you needs to be
well thought out and integrated into the overall program presentation.
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PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION
Structuring the Presentation
In conducting this education session, you should proceed with a friendly and helpful attitude.
Remember that the "trainees" are looking to your experience and knowledge to help them relate to
the situations shown in the program. It is important to let the trainees interact with you and each
other during the training session. Stimulating conversation within the group is one of the best things
you, as the presenter of the program, can do to help everyone get as much as possible from the
session. Be alert for comments that could help in this area in future sessions and make note of them.
As the presenter, you also should:
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Keep the session related to the topic of heat stress and heat-related illnesses.
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Relate discussions to how heat stress and similar illnesses can affect the work of class
participants.
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Prevent any one person or small group of employees in the session from doing all the
talking.
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Get everyone involved. Ask questions of those who don't participate voluntarily.
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Clarify comments by relating them to the key points in the program.
Use the "Outline of Major Program Points" section in this guide, as well as the information included
in the quiz, as the basis for answering any questions. If you don't know the answer, say so. Tragic
results may occur should you provide incorrect or inaccurate information. Remember, this is a
positive program on heat stress and similar illnesses. Make sure your attitude and words reflect this
and that the emphasis is always on providing the information needed by the attendees to improve
their ability to recognize situations that can give rise to heat-related illnesses... and what they can do
to protect themselves in these situations.
Setting Up the Class and Classroom
There are a number of things that must be done to "set up" the class as well as the classroom. If you
are using the program for a "Tailgate Meeting" or "Toolbox Talk" some of these things won't apply,
but many of them will. So you will still need to run through this checklist prior to your training
session. They include:
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Scheduling and Notification
C Use the enclosed form to schedule employees into the session.
C Make sure that the session is scheduled so that it fits into your
attendees' work day.
C Send out notification of the session well in advance, to give people
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enough time to incorporate it into their schedule for that day.
C If possible, post a notification on bulletin boards in the affected
employees' areas.
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The Classroom
- Schedule the room well in advance.
C Make sure the room can accommodate the expected number of
attendees.
C Check it again on the day of the program to make sure there is no
conflict.
C Make sure the room can be darkened, and won't create a glare on the
television screen.
C Locate the light controls and test them.
C Make sure the power for the videotape or DVD player you are using
operates separately from the room light.
C See if you can control the room temperature.
C Know where the closest restrooms are.
C Assure that the room is free from distracting noises.
C Make sure emergency exits are marked and known to the attendees.
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Seating
C Make sure everyone can see the screen from their seat.
C Make sure everyone can hear the videotape/DVD and you (when you
speak).
C Check to see that seating is such that writing can be done easily.
C Make sure the seating arrangement allows eye contact between
attendees, and between you and attendees.
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Equipment and Materials
C Make sure the videotape or DVD player, monitor, and all appropriate
cables and extension cords are available.
C Make sure a stand or table is available and is of appropriate height for
all attendees to easily see the monitor.
C If you plan on using a chartpad, blackboard, or other writing board,
make sure it is available, easy to see, and you have the proper writing
implements.
C Make sure you have 6" x 8" index cards or other materials to be used
as "name tents" for attendees.
C Make sure you have made up a sufficient number of copies of the quiz,
as well as any other handouts you are using.
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"Final Check"
C Make sure equipment is in the room prior to the scheduled session.
C Make sure you have the right program, (look inside the three-ring
binder).
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C Check to see that the room is set up properly.
C Check equipment prior to the presentation to assure that it works.
C Make sure extension cords, etc. are "taped down", if need be, to avoid
tripping.
C If you are using the videotape version of the program, run the "leader"
up to the point where the program begins.
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CONDUCTING THE SESSION
The Initial Steps
In conducting the session remember the positive nature of this presentation. Everyone is attending in
order to learn more about how to avoid heat stress and as a result work more safely and productively.
Initially, you need to:
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Introduce yourself as the session leader.
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State the title of the program, "Heat Stress in Construction Environments" and the
purpose of the session (to learn about heat stress and other heat-related illnesses and
how to avoid them).
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Inform the attendees when there will be breaks (if you plan them), the location of
exits and restrooms and if water, coffee, or other refreshments will be available.
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Make sure all of the attendees have "signed in" on your scheduling and attendance
sheet. Remember, it is very important to document peoples' attendance at the session.
Once this housekeeping is done, it is time to move to the "meat" of the session. First, the attendees
need to be informed about the objectives of the session (this is where you can use a flip chart or
board to list the objectives, which should be done prior to the class starting). This listing should be
preceded with some introductory remarks. Your own words are always best, but the remarks should
include information such as the following paragraphs:
"Today we are going to talk about heat stress and other heat-related illnesses such as
heat exhaustion and heat stroke. When many of us hear heat stress we think that it's a
problem caused by being 'out in the sun' too long."
"While heat stress can certainly be brought on by overexposure to the direct heat of
the sun, even outdoors there are a number of other factors that can come into play.
And if none of the things we do take us outdoors that doesn't mean that we are
necessarily exempt from the problems of heat stress."
"Equipment giving off excessive heat can create situations where heat stress can be a
major problem. Also, working with materials that must be heated as they are used can
expose us to heat levels high enough to cause our bodies problems."
"We can also encounter heat problems in places like buildings where the air
circulation is not very good or working in confined spaces, such as when loading
trucks or cleaning tanks. Even work areas that are normally comfortable can have a
heat problem if air conditioning or ventilation systems are not functioning properly.
In short, we need to remember that there are many situations that can cause heat stress
and other heat-related illnesses."
"The program we are going to watch today will give us good information of types of
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heat-related problems that can occur in different environments. It will show us what
steps can be taken to prevent heat-related illnesses as well. We will learn the
differences between heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and how to
recognize situations that can lead to these conditions. Finally, the program will help
us recognize symptoms of heat stress and similar illnesses and what type of basic first
aid can be helpful when dealing with fellow employees who experience these
conditions."
"To make this the most productive session possible, we need to look at what we want
to accomplish here today (verbally reference the 'Objectives' list from the first section
of this guide, or point to the blackboard or chart where you have written them
down).”
Once the objectives have been provided, you are ready to show the program. However, you
do need to let the attendees know that they will be taking a quiz at the end of the session (if
you are using it). It needs to be emphasized that they are not being "graded", but that the quiz
is being used to see if the session is effectively transmitting information to them in a way
they will remember.
Showing the Program
At this point, you need to introduce the title of the program once again, "Heat Stress in Construction
Environments", darken the lights if necessary, and begin the showing of the program.
If you are using the DVD version of the course you have several options as to how you can move
through the program and what employees see.
The DVD menu has three "selection bars":
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"Play".
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"Scene Index".
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"Contact Info".
To just play the program from beginning to end, select "Play".
To view (or review) a specific section of the program, select "Scene Index". You will be presented
with a group of buttons, each of which corresponds to a section of the program. You can then select
the specific section that you want to view.
If you would like information on other programs and products that are available from MARCOM
you can select "Contact Info" for information about how to contact us.
All of our DVDs, both English and Spanish, are subtitled (similar to closed captioning). If there are
hearing impaired employees participating in your training session, or you want people to be able to
read the program narration as well as hear it, push the "subtitle" button on your DVD player's remote
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control or the player's control panel. A print version of the narration will then appear on the screen
as the video plays.
Using the Program for "Tailgate Meetings" and "Toolbox Talks"
The DVD version of the program has been designed specifically to facilitate "Tailgate Meetings"
and "Toolbox Talks". The information in the DVD has been divided into 2-3 minute "chapters" on
different issues involved with crane safety. Each chapter forms the basis for a focused 10-15 minute
session on an important aspect of that topic (chapters can be directly selected from the DVD menu).
Conducting the Discussion
After the program has been shown, it is time for the group discussion on the information contained
in the session. Care must be taken to make sure that the discussion is kept to the general topic of heat
stress and related illnesses. There are several ways to conduct this discussion. These include:
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Calling for questions from the attendees and using these questions as the basis for the
discussion.
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"Leading" the discussion through the points covered in the program using statements
such as:
C "One of the sections that we saw in the program was about recognizing
situations that can cause heat stress. What are some situations in our
work areas that could cause heat stress or similar illnesses?"
C "We saw some good information on basic first aid that can help heat
stress victims. Who can review this for us?"
You should use the discussion format that you are most comfortable with. The "Outline of Major
Program Points" section in this guide, and the questions and answers in the master copies of the quiz
can be very useful as a basis for discussion.
Remember, you have allocated a limited amount of time in which this discussion can take place. It is
important to blend the attendees' questions and areas of obvious interest with the objective of trying
to touch on each major area within the session in the discussion. By touching on each area, the
attendees are much more likely to retain the information presented in the session.
Concluding the Presentation
Once discussion has concluded, whether naturally or you have had to bring the discussion to a close
in order to complete the session within the time allowed, it is time to give the quiz (if you are using
it). Again, remind the attendees that the quiz is only meant to help determine how effective the
presentation of the information is, and that they will not be graded on it. Let them know that they
have approximately five minutes to complete the quiz.
At the end of the five minute period, remind the attendees to date and sign their quizzes, and then
collect them. The attendees should be thanked for attending the session and reminded of any other
sessions in the educational program that they may be attending. They can then be dismissed to return
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to their normal activities.
*(An alternative to this approach is to give the quiz immediately after showing the program, then use
a review of the quiz as a basis for your group discussion.)
"Wrapping Up" the Paperwork
Before much time has passed, and the subject matter is fresh in your mind, several areas of
"paperwork" must be completed. First, check to make sure that all attendees signed the scheduling
and attendance form. Next, make sure that you have a quiz from every attendee, dated and signed.
Also, depending upon what you have decided to do, a copy of the attendance sheet and the quiz for
each attendee should be either filed in your files, or turned over to the attendee's department manager
(or the personnel office) so that this paperwork can be included in their personnel file. The attendees'
training logs should also be updated, and each attendee should be given a filled out and signed
training certificate, signifying that they have successfully completed the course.
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OUTLINE OF MAJOR PROGRAM POINTS
The following outline summarizes the major points of information presented in the program. The
outline can be used to review the program before conducting a classroom session, as well as in
preparing to lead a class discussion about the program.
$ The body is a powerful machine, capable of performing massive amounts of work.
— And like any machine, when it's pushed hard, your body can produce a
lot of heat.
$ You need to be careful whenever your body heats up, whether you're outside under a hot
sun, inside a busy factory or bundled up against the cold.
$
As it gets hot, your body has to work hard to prevent itself from overheating.
— Of course, the hotter the area where you're working, the harder it is to
cool off.
— If your body gets too hot it can suffer "heat stress" and other heat-related
illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.
$ These conditions occur when high body temperatures break down your body's ability to
function normally.
$ To fight off heat stress your body tries to keep your temperature at a "cool" 98.6 degrees
Fahrenheit.
— When it heats up, the first thing your body does is to send more blood
toward the skin's surface.
— This helps the blood to release heat and cool you off.
$ Think of it this way. For cooling purposes your blood works just like the radiator fluid
in your car.
— It comes out of the engine hot, gets cooled, and then recirculates to cool
the engine down some more.
$ If the increased blood flow doesn't cool you down, then your sweat glands go to work,
releasing heat in the form of warm water.
— As the sweat evaporates from your skin that removes heat as well,
lowering your body temperature and making you more comfortable.
$ The problem is that maintaining your temperature by sweating depletes the body's
valuable supply of fluids and minerals. This can be dangerous.
— Your body will begin to "malfunction" if it can't replace these materials.
— So it's important to maintain proper fluid levels throughout the day,
because when you sweat a lot your body can lose up to one quart of
water an hour.
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$ In high heat areas your natural thirst alone won't be enough to protect you from
dehydration.
— So maintaining the proper fluid levels requires a conscious effort.
— In fact, when you are sweating you should replace the fluid you lose with
five to seven ounces of liquid every fifteen or twenty minutes.
$ But just replacing fluids isn't enough. It's also important to replace the minerals you lose
when you sweat.
— This is where "electrolyte drinks" come in.
— They're scientifically designed to replace both the fluids and vital
minerals that your body needs to keep going.
— They also give your muscles an energy boost, since they contain easily
digestible sugars.
$ You should avoid alcoholic beverages during the work day and after heavy exertion.
— While it is a fluid, alcohol accelerates water loss, which just compounds
the problem.
$ Some medicines can also accelerate fluid loss, or can have other adverse effects when
you're heated up.
— If you're taking any medication it's a good idea to ask your doctor
whether working in high heat areas could be detrimental.
$ It's also important to eat intelligently when you're in a high heat environment.
— Hot, heavy meals add heat to your body, and divert blood to your
digestive system that would otherwise be helping to cool you off.
— So you should make sure to eat light, cool meals when you're working up
a sweat.
$ Heat stress itself can cause significant problems, but there are other heat-related illnesses
that are even more serious.
— "Heat cramps" can be extremely painful and can prevent you from
making even basic movements.
— They can develop when you sweat a lot and don't replace the minerals
you lose through your sweating.
$ While heat cramps affect the muscles you use while you work, they usually don't occur
unless you're on a break or until after you've stopped working.
— If you get heat cramps, you should rest your body and drink plenty of
electrolyte beverages.
$ Another heat-related illness you need to watch out for is "heat exhaustion."
— It occurs when you suffer from the symptoms of heat stress for three
days or more and are unable to re-establish your body's normal fluid and
mineral levels.
— At this point your body can no longer compensate for the depletion of
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these materials that heat stress causes.
$ Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Intense thirst and dehydration.
Fatigue.
Weakness.
Hyperventilation.
A loss of muscle coordination.
Feelings of anger and anxiety.
Impaired judgment.
$ If you find yourself suffering from heat exhaustion you need to get plenty of rest, and
work to replace the fluids and minerals that you've lost through sweating.
— If you don't begin to feel better within a day or so, see your doctor.
$ Workers unaccustomed to activity in hot or humid environments also face an increased
risk of fainting, which can lead to a fall or the loss of control of a tool or equipment, and
result in a serious accident.
— If you begin to feel dizzy or lightheaded, take a break.
— A rapid heart rate and moist skin can also be warning signs.
$ If steps aren't taken to relieve the symptoms of heat stress, heat cramps or heat
exhaustion, there's a danger of going into "heat stroke", the most serious heat-related
illness.
— Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer cool itself at all.
— This is extremely dangerous.
$ During heat stroke the body's temperature can get so high that you can sustain brain
damage or even die if you don't get cooled down quickly. Symptoms of heat stroke
include:
— Hot, flushed skin.
— Dilated pupils.
— An extremely high body temperature.
$ If someone appears to be suffering from heat stroke, their body temperature needs to be
brought down immediately!
$ While you often can't control how hot your work environment is, there are things that
you can do to prepare for it.
$ First, it's important to keep yourself in good shape.
— As with any activity, when you're working in the heat your body and its
muscles perform better when they're in good condition.
— Also, if you're overweight it forces your body's cooling system to work
harder just to cool you off.
— People in good shape can acclimatize to high heat areas more quickly as
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well, because their cardiovascular systems respond better to exertion.
$ Choosing the right clothes can also help you keep cool, and allow you to work more
comfortably and more productively in hot environments.
— Loose, lightweight clothing made of cotton or cotton blends lets the air
circulate around you, and can "wick off" much of your sweat.
— This makes it easier to get rid of excess heat.
$ Color is important too.
— You should avoid wearing black or other dark colors that absorb the heat.
— Instead wear white and other light colors (they'll reflect the heat and help
to keep you cool).
$ When you're working outside under the sun, there are some other precautions you
should take.
— A light-colored hat will keep the hot sun off your head.
— Applying sunscreen will keep your skin from heating up as well as
burning.
— And don't forget your sunglasses.
$ Ice vests are another type of protective equipment that is used by fire-fighters and other
workers who are exposed to high heat.
— For most jobs, your supervisor can tell you what type of clothing is best
for you.
$ While it's true that because of their physical make-up some people will never get used to
working in the heat, you'll have the best chance of working comfortably in a high-heat
area if you can get into it gradually, letting your body "acclimatize" itself.
— In work areas that are extremely hot, it often takes five to ten work days
to get used to the heat.
$ Gradual exposure gives the body time to become accustomed to higher temperatures,
and eventually lets you work longer and more efficiently when you're in the heat.
— Without going through a period of acclimatization, heat-related illnesses
can develop more easily, because the body isn't prepared to spend so
much of its energy trying to cool down.
$ If you or a coworker does get overheated, you need to know what you can do to deal
with the situation.
$ For the most part, it's fairly easy to treat problems like heat stress, heat cramps and heat
exhaustion.
— You can recover from these conditions with some rest, and by replacing
the fluid and minerals that you've lost through sweating.
— But if you don't take steps to relieve conditions like heat cramps and
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exhaustion, you run the risk of going into heat stroke.
$ Symptoms of heat stroke include:
— Hot, flushed skin.
— Dilated pupils.
— And an extremely high body temperature.
$ You need to act immediately if you think someone is going into heat stroke.
— First, call for emergency medical services.
— Then take the victim to a cooler area, away from sources of heat and
direct sunlight.
— Work to bring the victim's temperature down as quickly as you can.
— If possible, immerse them in a cool bath, or wrap them in wet sheets or
towels.
— Get a fan going.
— Keep cooling the victim, refreshing the water or changing the sheets and
towels, until medical help arrives.
*** SUMMARY ***
$ It can be easy to get overheated. But if you know what to do, and pay attention to what
your body's telling you, you can avoid heat-related illnesses.
$ Listen to your body, and pay attention to its "signals."
$ Know when you need to replenish your fluids and electrolytes, and eat only light, cool
meals during the work day.
$ Take the time to get used to working in higher temperatures, do it gradually.
$ Dress appropriately for the heat.
$ And be prepared to handle heat-related emergencies.
$ No matter what type of job you have, if you're working in a high heat environment,
remember what you've learned today. It really will help you to "keep your cool"!
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Heat Stress In Construction Environments
Review Quiz
Name:
Date:
1. What is normal body temperature?
96.8o
98.6o
99.8o
106o
2. To maintain your body's internal "balance" you must replace both fluids and minerals?
True
False
3. The most serious heat-related illness is...?
Heat stress
Heat stroke
Heat exhaustion
4. In hot environments how much water can the average person's body lose in an hour through
sweating?
A pint
A quart
A gallon
5. If you are working in a high heat area, doctors suggest that you should stop for a drink every
how many minutes?
10 minutes
15 to 20 minutes
60 minutes
6. Clothes of dark-colored materials are best in hot environments?
True
False
7. Alcohol is as good as any other type of drink for restoring your body's fluid loss?
True
False
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Answer Key:
o
1. 96.8
98.6º
2. True
3. Heat Stroke
4. A quart
5. 15 to 20 minutes
6. False
7. False
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