Occupational Safety: Heat stress

By: Steve Djukanovich

June 29th, 2007

For some employees, summertime means working in hot conditions. Working in hot conditions can pose special safety and health risks.

Four environmental factors affect the amount of risk an employee faces in hot conditions: temperature, humidity, radiant heat and wind speed.

The body defends itself from heat through breathing, sweating, and changing the blood flow. The first reaction is to circulate blood to the skin, which increases skin temperature and allows the body to give off some heat.

During heavy work, muscles need more blood flow, which reduces the amount of blood available to flow to the skin and release the heat.

If exposure to hot conditions is excessive and the body becomes overheated, the employee could develop a heat stress disorder. Heat stress disorders are described below. It is important to recognize the differences between the disorders.

Heat Stroke

Signs and symptoms: Mental confusion, delirium, fainting, seizures, body temperature of 104ºF or higher, hot and dry skin, usually red or bluish color.

What to do: Call 9-1-1 immediately and request an ambulance, move the employee to a cool area, soak the victim with cool water, and fan the victim vigorously to increase cooling.

Heat Exhaustion

Signs and symptoms: High pulse rate, confusion, anxiety, profuse sweating, weakness, excessive thirst, clammy skin, flushing, nausea, elevated body temperature.

What to do: Have the employee rest in a cool place and drink an electrolyte solution, such as a sports drink. In severe cases have the employee transported to the workers’ compensation clinic or the emergency room.

Heat Cramps

Signs and symptoms: Cramping or spasms of muscles may occur during or after the work.

What to do: Have the employee drink an electrolyte solution, such as a sports drink. If the cramps are severe or not relieved by drinking a sports drink, have the employee transported to the workers’ compensation clinic.

Fainting

Signs and symptoms: Brief loss of consciousness, sweaty skin, normal body temperature.

What to do: Lie the employee down in a cool place. Have the employee seek medical attention if not recovered after a brief period of lying down

Heat Rash

Signs and symptoms: Skin eruption.

What to do: Keep skin clean and dry to prevent infection.

Prevention

Fortunately, heat stress can be prevented or reduced by adhering to the following controls:

• Change work schedules to limit the amount of time an employee is exposed to elevated temperatures.
• Schedule heavier work during cooler parts of the day.
• Allow appropriate break periods.
• Alternate heavy work with lighter, less stressful work.
• Have employees wear loose, lightweight clothing.
• Remind employees to drink plenty of fluids and have fluids easily assessable.
• Remember that new employees and employees returning to work after being off for a few weeks should be given about five days to get used to the heat.

Training is also a vital part of prevention. Employees and supervisors should be trained to take the necessary steps to reduce or eliminate heat stress; identify the signs of heat stress; and to appropriately respond if heat stress is identified.

To read more Occupational Safety columns, visit the Our Workplace Archives.

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