25 May Health & Safety – Heat Stress Disorders
Health & Safety – Heat Stress Disorders
Heat stress can occur whenever the body is unable to adequately cool itself. Although hot summer weather is a common cause, heat-related illness can also occur indoors and during any season when employees work around furnaces, boilers, hot equipment, welding or cutting operations, or in poorly ventilated or confined areas.
High humidity, direct sunlight, strenuous work, limited air movement, and heavy or impermeable protective clothing can further increase the risk.
Recognizing Heat Stress
Heat-related illness can begin with mild symptoms and become serious quickly. Employees should watch themselves and their coworkers for early warning signs, including:
- Headache
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea or vomiting
- Irritability
- Reduced concentration or coordination
Employees experiencing these symptoms should stop work, notify their supervisor, and move to a cooler location before the condition becomes more serious.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt, usually through sweating.
Symptoms may include:
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Cool, pale, or clammy skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Thirst
- Fainting
Move the affected employee to a cool or shaded area, remove unnecessary clothing and PPE, and begin cooling. If the employee is alert and able to swallow, provide frequent small amounts of cool drinking water.
Seek medical assistance if symptoms worsen or do not improve promptly.
Heat Stroke – Medical Emergency
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and occurs when the body’s temperature-regulating system fails. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death and requires immediate emergency medical treatment.
Warning signs may include:
- Confusion or disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Unusual or irrational behavior
- Loss of coordination
- Seizures
- Collapse or unconsciousness
- Very high body temperature
- Hot skin that may be dry or sweaty
Do not assume that a person must stop sweating to have heat stroke.
If heat stroke is suspected, call 911 immediately and begin cooling the employee while waiting for emergency medical services. Move the person to a cooler area, remove unnecessary outer clothing and PPE, and cool the body aggressively with cold water, wet towels, ice, fans, or other available methods.
Never leave a person experiencing suspected heat stroke alone, and do not give fluids to an unconscious, confused, or otherwise impaired person who cannot safely swallow.
Preventing Heat Stress Disorders
Heat-related illnesses are largely preventable when hazards are recognized and controlled. Employees and supervisors should:
- Acclimatize gradually. Employees who are new to hot work or returning after an absence should gradually increase their exposure to heat and workload.
- Drink water frequently. Employees should drink cool water regularly throughout the work period rather than waiting until they become thirsty.
- Provide cooling and recovery periods. Take appropriate breaks in shaded, air-conditioned, or otherwise cool areas.
- Schedule strenuous work appropriately. When practical, perform physically demanding tasks during cooler portions of the shift.
- Use engineering controls. Ventilation, fans, air conditioning, shielding, insulation, or other controls should be used when practical to reduce heat exposure.
- Consider PPE and clothing. Heavy, impermeable, or protective clothing can significantly increase the body’s heat load and may require additional work/rest periods.
- Monitor employees. Use a buddy system or other appropriate method to observe employees for symptoms during high-heat work.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol can contribute to dehydration and should be avoided before and during heat exposure.
- Use appropriate beverages. Water should be the primary source of hydration. Electrolyte-containing beverages may be useful during prolonged, heavy sweating.
- Know the emergency procedures. Employees must know how to summon emergency medical assistance and what actions to take when heat-related illness is suspected.
Working in Confined or Enclosed Areas
Heat can be particularly hazardous in confined or poorly ventilated spaces because temperatures may rise rapidly and protective clothing can add additional heat stress.
Before entering a confined space, employees must follow the company’s applicable Confined Space Program, including atmospheric testing, ventilation, entry procedures, communication, and rescue requirements. Heat stress controls should be incorporated into the entry plan when elevated temperatures or strenuous work are anticipated.
Remember
Heat stress is not limited to summer. Recognize the conditions that create heat stress, stay hydrated, acclimatize gradually, take appropriate cooling breaks, and respond immediately when symptoms appear.