Heat Stress and Heat Exhaustion Safety

HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is when your body cannot keep blood flowing both to vital organs and to the skin for cooling.
Symptoms:

• weakness, feeling faint
• headache
• breathlessness
• nausea or vomiting
• difficulty continuing work.

Treatment

• Get medical aid and cool down (move to a shaded area, loosen clothing, drink cool water). It takes 30 minutes at least to cool the body down from heat exhaustion and if it’s not treated promptly, it can lead to heat stroke.

OSHA 3154 - Heat Stress Card:

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​HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. You can die from it. Your body has used up all its water and salt and cannot cool itself. Your temperature rises to dangerous levels.
Symptoms:

• confusion and irrational behavior
• convulsions
• unconsciousness
• no sweating—hot, dry skin
• high body temperature—104°F or more.

Treatment

• Call the local emergency number or get the worker to a hospital.
• Take aggressive steps to cool the worker down (immerse in a tub of cool water or cool shower, spray with a hose, wrap in cool, wet sheets and fan rapidly).

If the worker is unconscious, don’t give anything to drink.

CONTROLS:
Here’s how to avoid heat stress in the first place:

• Wear light, loose clothing that allows sweat to evaporate. Light-colored garments absorb less heat.
• Drink small amounts of water (8 oz) every half hour. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
• Avoid coffee, tea, beer, or other drinks that make you go to the bathroom frequently.
• Avoid eating hot, heavy meals that increase your body temperature.

Remember that your physical condition can reduce your ability to deal with the heat. Age, weight, fitness, health conditions (heart disease or high blood pressure), recent illness, or medications can all affect your ability to withstand high temperatures.