Heat Illnes Prevention Training

Training Instructor: George Bunker - george@im-inc.com - 970-632-4917

Course Duration: 00:04:09

Acclimatization: Temporary adaptation of the body to work in the heat that occurs gradually when a person is exposed to it. Acclimatization peaks in most people within four to fourteen days of regular work for at least two hours per day in the heat.

Heat Illness: A serious medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load, and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope and heat stroke.

Preventative recovery period: A period of time to recover from the heat in order to prevent heat illness.

Shade: Blockage of direct sunlight through the use of canopies, umbrellas and other temporary structures or devices may be used to provide shade. One indicator that blockage is sufficient is when objects do not cast a shadow in the area of blocked sunlight. Shade is not adequate when heat in the area of shade defeats the purpose of shade, which is to allow the body to cool. For example, a car sitting in the sun does not provide acceptable shade to a person inside it, unless the car is running with the air conditioning on.

For the human body to maintain a constant internal temperature, the body must rid
itself of excess heat. This is achieved primarily through varying the rate and amount of blood circulation to the outer layers of the skin and releasing fluid onto the skin by the sweat glands. The evaporation of sweat cools the skin, releasing large quantities of heat from the body. As air temperatures approach normal skin temperature, cooling of the body becomes more difficult. If the air temperature is as warm or warmer than the skin, blood brought to the body surface cannot lose its heat. Sweating becomes the primary means of maintaining a constant body temperature. Sweating does not cool the body unless the moisture is removed from the skin by evaporation. Under high humidity conditions, the evaporation of sweat from the skin is decreased, and the body’s efforts to maintain acceptable body temperature may be significantly impaired.

 

Heat tends to promote accidents due to sweaty palms, dizziness, or the fogging
of safety glasses. Mental confusion, tiredness, and irritability may occur when an employee becomes overheated. The effect of these conditions can result in poor
judgment and unsafe practices. 

Heat exhaustion is caused by the loss of large amounts of fluid, and sometimes salt, by sweating. An employee suffering from heat exhaustion still sweats but may experience the signs and symptoms listed below:

• headache
• dizziness
• weakness
• mood changes, confusion, or irritability
• feeling sick to the stomach
• vomiting
• decreased and dark-colored urine
• light-headedness or fainting, or
• pale, clammy skin

Heat stroke is the most severe heat-related illness and can quickly be fatal. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperatureregulating system fails, and sweating becomes an inadequate way of removing excess heat. Signs that an employee may have a heat stroke are:

• dry pale skin
• lack of sweat
• hot, red skin
• mood changes, irritability, and confusion
• seizures, and
• collapse or unconsciousness

First Aid for Heat Cramps, Rash, and Exhaustion

Provide the following first aid to victims experiencing heat cramps, rashes, or exhaustion:

• move the person to a cool, shaded area
  provide cool water to drink
• fan the person to cool them
• place a wet cloth on the person to cool their skin, lay the victim on his or her back, and raise the legs 6 to 8 inches if the individual is dizzy
• roll the person on his or her side if nausea occurs, and loosen or
• remove heavy clothing, and
• stay with the victim

Call for emergency help if the victim does not feel better in a few minutes. If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance to heat stroke.

First Aid for Heat Stroke

Prompt first aid for someone suffering from the symptoms of heat stroke should include the same first aid steps as on the previous page, plus:

• call for emergency help
• lay the victim on his or her back unless he or she is unconscious
• remove any objects close to the victim in case a seizure occurs
• provide cool water to drink if conscious, and
• place ice packs under the armpits and in the groin area

All managers and supervisors are responsible for implementing and maintaining the Heat Illness Program in their work areas.

Provision of Water

Employees shall have access to potable drinking water. Where it is not plumbed or otherwise continuously supplied, it shall be provided in sufficient quantity at the beginning of the work shift.

 

Control Measures

Each work location involved in working in hot environments shall implement measures that must be in place to control the effects of environmental factors that can contribute to heat related illnesses.  The most common environmental factors are air temperature, humidity, radiant heat sources and air circulation.

Physical factors that can contribute to heat related illness shall be taken into consideration before performing a task. The most common physical factors that can contribute to heat related illness are type of work, level of physical activity and duration, and clothing color, weight and breathability.

Supervisors must ensure personal factors that contribute to heat related illness are taken into consideration before assigning a task where there is the possibility of a heat-related illness occurring. The most common personal factors that can contribute to heat related illness are age, weight/fitness, drug/alcohol use, prior heat-related illness, etc.

Each remote or outdoor work site shall develop site specific procedures but shall include the minimum:

• Bring at least 2 quarts per employee at the start of the shift and the supervisors/designated persons will monitor water containers every 30 minutes, and employees are encouraged to report to supervisor/designated person any low levels or dirty water.
• Supervisors will provide frequent reminders to employees to drink frequently.
• Prior to every shift start there will be short tailgate meetings to remind workers about the importance of frequent consumption of water throughout the shift during hot weather.
• Place water containers as close as possible to the workers.
• When drinking water levels within a container drop below 50%, the water shall be replenished immediately, or water levels should not fall below the point that will allow for adequate water during the time necessary to effect replenishment.
• Disposable/single use drinking cups will be provided to employees or provisions will be made to issue employees their own cups each day.
• Supervisors will set-up an adequate number of umbrellas, canopies or other portable devices at the start of the shift and will relocate them to be closer to the crew, as needed.
• Non-agricultural employers can use other cooling measures if they demonstrate that these methods are as effective as shade.

Supervisors will continuously check all employees and stay alert to the presence of heat related symptoms.

Supervisors will carry cell phones or other means of communication, to ensure that emergency services can be called and check that these are functional at the worksite prior to each shift.

All newly hired workers will be assigned a buddy or experienced coworker to ensure that they understood the training and follow the company procedures.

Employees are at increased risk for heat related illness when they:

• are dehydrated
• are fatigued
• use improper work methods
• have infrequent exposure to hot temperatures and high humidity
• are over the age of 40
• are in poor physical condition or overweight
• use certain medications, such as antihistamines, diuretics, and some tranquilizers
• have had prior heat-related illnesses
• have used drugs or alcohol within the past 24 hours
• have a heat rash or sunburn
• wear restrictive or heavy clothing
• wear certain types of heavy personal protective equipment such as arc flash protection and chemical suits
• work in direct sunlight
• work at a task that involves heavy and continuous personal energy expenditure
• work in unventilated areas.

Employees can best protect themselves by following these recommendations:

• understand the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to respond
• perform the most demanding work during the coolest part of the day
• make sure you consume plenty of cool water
• wear lightcolored, loose-fitting, breathable (cotton) clothing
• avoid eating large meals or consuming caffeine and alcoholic beverages before and during work in hot environments
• open windows and doors
• use exhaust ventilators or air blowerswhere needed
• hold daily safety briefings to remind employees of high-temperature hazards
  and ways to mitigate the hazards
• have emergency phones and emergency phone numbers readily available
• show extra caution when the heat index is 100°F or above