Safety Tip: Working in Hot Weather
As the summer heats up, so does heat-related health concerns. Awareness of heat illness symptoms can save your life or the life of a co-worker.
Awareness of heat illness symptoms can save your life or the life of a co-worker. Personal factors that may contribute to heat illness, or make you more susceptible, include: age, weight, level of fitness, medical condition, use of medications and alcohol.
Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related health problem. It occurs when the body's temperature regulatory system fails and sweating becomes inadequate. A heat stroke victim's skin is hot, usually dry, red or spotted. Body temperature is usually 105 degrees F or higher, and the victim is mentally confused, delirious, perhaps in convulsions, shivering or unconscious. Unless the victim receives quick medical treatment, death can occur.
Heat Exhaustion is caused by the loss of large amounts of body fluid by sweating. A person suffering from heat exhaustion experiences extreme weakness or fatigue, nausea or headache. In more serious cases, the victim may vomit or lose consciousness. The skin is clammy and moist.
Medical Response: Employees experiencing and/or displaying serious symptoms of heat illness must receive medical attention promptly.
Smart Safety Rules:
- Take time to acclimate yourself to the heat, may take up to two weeks
- Take breaks in a cool shaded area
- Don't eat heavy meals before working in the heat
- Don't drink alcohol or drinks with caffeine
- Keep an eye on your co-workers
- Know and react to symptoms of heat-related health problems
Drinking Water: During a day's work in the heat, a person may produce as much as 2 to 3 gallons of sweat. It is important that water intake during the workday be about equal to the amount of sweat produced. Don't depend on thirst to signal when and how much to drink. Workers should drink 3 to 4 cups of water every hour.
