Heat Stress Prevention Training

Today’s Toolbox Talk provides Heat Stress training to our employees who may be exposed to outdoor environments that may contain temperature extremes, radiant heat, humidity, or limited air movement, in accordance with the New Outdoor Heat Exposure rule, WAC 296-62-095.

Heat related illness is a serious medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat load, and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, fainting and heat stroke. Let’s look at each type of heat illness and the first aid measures needed to treat a patient experiencing these symptoms.

Heat cramps are painful spasms of the muscles, that are caused when we drink large quantities of water but fail to replace our bodies' salt loss. First aid treatment for this will include drinking fluids that contain electrolytes or saline solutions intravenously for quicker relief, if medically determined to be required. Bananas are also an excellent source of natural bioavailable electrolytes.

Heat exhaustion results from loss of fluid through sweating when an individual has failed to drink enough fluids or take in enough salt or both. The worker with heat exhaustion still sweats but experiences extreme weakness, fatigue, giddiness, nausea, or headache.  The skin is clammy and moist, the complexion pale or flushed, and the body temperature normal or slightly higher. First Aid treatment includes water to conscious victims and moving them to a cool shady location. If the victim does not improve within 15 minutes call 911.

Heat rash usually appears under clothes in hot and humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation. It can be prevented by resting in a cool place and allowing the skin to dry.

Fainting can occur when a person is not accumulated to the heat. Acclimatization is the process of becoming accustomed to hot environmental conditions. Adjustments can take 1-3 weeks but usually occur over the first week of exposure where the environment maintains relatively constant temperatures.

Heat stroke is a condition marked by abnormally elevated body temperature. Symptoms may include rapid pulse, chills, and restlessness. The body stops perspiration, and the individual may have hot, dry skin. This is a medical emergency, call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke. While waiting for medical responders to arrive, administer first aid by moving the victim to a cool area, soaking their clothes with cool water, and administering small sips of water to the conscious victim.

Various factors such as an individual’s age, degree of acclimatization, health, water consumption, alcohol, and caffeine consumption, and the use of prescription medications that affect the body’s water retention or other physiological responses can affect your response to heat.

Controls that may help prevent heat related illness:

• Drink Plenty of water.
• Take frequent breaks in shaded areas.
• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
• Wear proper clothing.

If you or a coworker experience any of the following conditions, immediately stop work, inform your supervisor, and take a break in a cool or shaded area.

• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Fainting
• Pounding heart
• Trouble breathing

When HBI employees are working outdoors and exposed to air temperatures at or above 90^o Fahrenheit, foreman, supervisors, or leads shall coordinate the following procedures.

• Establish one or more areas with shade that is either open to the air or provided with ventilation or cooling, and not adjoining a radiant heat source such as machinery or a concrete structure.
• Ensure the shade is located as close as practicable to the areas where employees are working.
• Ensure employees have enough suitably cool drinking water = 1 quart per hour.
• Ensure employees take preventative cooldown rest periods in accordance with Table 2 of the rule.

Remember This! 

Look out for yourself and coworkers. If you're getting a bottle of water, consider bringing one for the coworker you're teamed up with—they'll appreciate it! If someone seems out of sorts or not themselves, let's pause work and assess the situation.