Understanding & Recognizing Heat-related Illness
Working in high-temperature seasons and environments is not only uncomfortable; it can be harmful to your health. The combination of high temperatures and stresses such as physical labor, fluid loss, and fatigue sets a breeding ground for heat rash, exhaustion, and stroke. Preventing these illnesses requires an understanding of how your body regulates temperature, the ability to recognize the symptoms, and knowing how to treat them.
The body constantly works to maintain a core temperature of 98.6°F. The human body compensates for changes in temperature through a thermoregulatory system controlled by sensors in the skin (sweating, flushing, etc.). If the body is unable to reduce its core temperature through sweat, it will begin to store heat. When this occurs, the risk of serious health hazards is present. Heat-related illnesses vary in severity, but even a mild case is a good indication that factors necessary to cause more serious problems are present. Such illnesses are:
Heat rashes, sunburns, and heat cramps — Heat rashes and heat cramps can be very painful. However, they aren't life threatening. Sunburns and heat rashes can be treated topically with a steroid cream or aloe lotion. Heat cramps are muscle spasms in the arms, legs, and stomach caused by the loss of salt and fluids through heavy sweating. Treat heat cramps by resting in a cool place and drinking fluids. A normal diet should provide the right amount of salt your body requires, but sports drinks infused with electrolytes can help you replenish what you lose when you're exerting yourself in the heat.
Heat exhaustion — Heat exhaustion is what happens when the body's cooling system shuts down from lack of fluids. When your body loses more fluids than you take in you'll experience symptoms such as heavy sweating, cool moist skin, and a weak pulse. A victim of heat exhaustion may begin to feel weak, clumsy, confused, or upset. If you notice a co-worker is suffering from the above symptoms, move them to a cool or shaded area, help them loosen or remove excess clothing, make sure they ingest fluids, and fan and spray them with cool water. If not properly addressed, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
Heat stroke — When your body's internal thermostat can no longer deal with the stress caused by heat, heat stroke occurs. In extreme temperatures, there may be little warning before a victim reaches this level. The body quickly stops sweating and begins storing the heat. Symptoms include a lack of sweating, hot dry skin (even though the person may have been sweating earlier), and a rise in body temperature to 105° or higher. The victim may also become weak and confused, dizzy, nauseated, or even fall unconscious.
Heat-related Illness Prevention
Proper clothing can play a critical role in heat stress prevention. When hazard protection isn't a factor, select clothing such as lightweight cotton that breathes. Light colors tend to reflect heat, and hats should be worn when working in sunlight if possible.
Loss of fluids is a major contributor to heat illnesses, regardless of whether you're working indoors or not. Thirst isn't a reliable indicator of the body's need for fluids. A person can lose as many as 1.6 quarts of fluid per hour through sweating, so it's important to drink plenty of liquids before, during, and after working in warm environments. Health experts recommend drinking 8 ounces of fluids for every 20 to 30 minutes of work being performed.
Take more frequent breaks when working in extreme temperatures or at the first sign of heat stress symptoms. If possible, try to schedule your tasks around the weather. Complete more physical tasks in the morning and evening when the sun isn't at its peak and the temperature is cooler.
Common sense and a healthy body are the best defenses against heat disorders. Excessive weight traps heat in your body and forces your heart and glands to work harder to dispose of it. Exercise and eat a nutritious, balanced diet. Exercise may help you to acclimate to warmer temperatures as well. A nutritious diet will ensure your body received the right amount of salt to keep it functioning properly.
Heat stress is 100% avoidable and preventable as long as you recognize the signs and take proper precautions. By understanding how your body controls temperature you're more able to recognize the symptoms of heat stress. Take immediate action if you or a co-worker develops heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Use engineering controls whenever possible to reduce the hazards, and allow your body to acclimate to warmer temperatures before you overexert yourself.
Working in high-temperature seasons and environments is not only uncomfortable; it can be harmful to your health. The combination of high temperatures and stresses such as physical labor, fluid loss, and fatigue sets a breeding ground for heat rash, exhaustion, and stroke. Preventing these illnesses requires an understanding of how your body regulates temperature, the ability to recognize the symptoms, and knowing how to treat them.
The body constantly works to maintain a core temperature of 98.6°F. The human body compensates for changes in temperature through a thermoregulatory system controlled by sensors in the skin (sweating, flushing, etc.). If the body is unable to reduce its core temperature through sweat, it will begin to store heat. When this occurs, the risk of serious health hazards is present. Heat-related illnesses vary in severity, but even a mild case is a good indication that factors necessary to cause more serious problems are present. Such illnesses are:
Heat rashes, sunburns, and heat cramps — Heat rashes and heat cramps can be very painful. However, they aren't life threatening. Sunburns and heat rashes can be treated topically with a steroid cream or aloe lotion. Heat cramps are muscle spasms in the arms, legs, and stomach caused by the loss of salt and fluids through heavy sweating. Treat heat cramps by resting in a cool place and drinking fluids. A normal diet should provide the right amount of salt your body requires, but sports drinks infused with electrolytes can help you replenish what you lose when you're exerting yourself in the heat.
Heat exhaustion — Heat exhaustion is what happens when the body's cooling system shuts down from lack of fluids. When your body loses more fluids than you take in you'll experience symptoms such as heavy sweating, cool moist skin, and a weak pulse. A victim of heat exhaustion may begin to feel weak, clumsy, confused, or upset. If you notice a co-worker is suffering from the above symptoms, move them to a cool or shaded area, help them loosen or remove excess clothing, make sure they ingest fluids, and fan and spray them with cool water. If not properly addressed, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke.
Heat stroke — When your body's internal thermostat can no longer deal with the stress caused by heat, heat stroke occurs. In extreme temperatures, there may be little warning before a victim reaches this level. The body quickly stops sweating and begins storing the heat. Symptoms include a lack of sweating, hot dry skin (even though the person may have been sweating earlier), and a rise in body temperature to 105° or higher. The victim may also become weak and confused, dizzy, nauseated, or even fall unconscious.
Heat-related Illness Prevention
Proper clothing can play a critical role in heat stress prevention. When hazard protection isn't a factor, select clothing such as lightweight cotton that breathes. Light colors tend to reflect heat, and hats should be worn when working in sunlight if possible.
Loss of fluids is a major contributor to heat illnesses, regardless of whether you're working indoors or not. Thirst isn't a reliable indicator of the body's need for fluids. A person can lose as many as 1.6 quarts of fluid per hour through sweating, so it's important to drink plenty of liquids before, during, and after working in warm environments. Health experts recommend drinking 8 ounces of fluids for every 20 to 30 minutes of work being performed.
Take more frequent breaks when working in extreme temperatures or at the first sign of heat stress symptoms. If possible, try to schedule your tasks around the weather. Complete more physical tasks in the morning and evening when the sun isn't at its peak and the temperature is cooler.
Common sense and a healthy body are the best defenses against heat disorders. Excessive weight traps heat in your body and forces your heart and glands to work harder to dispose of it. Exercise and eat a nutritious, balanced diet. Exercise may help you to acclimate to warmer temperatures as well. A nutritious diet will ensure your body received the right amount of salt to keep it functioning properly.
Heat stress is 100% avoidable and preventable as long as you recognize the signs and take proper precautions. By understanding how your body controls temperature you're more able to recognize the symptoms of heat stress. Take immediate action if you or a co-worker develops heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Use engineering controls whenever possible to reduce the hazards, and allow your body to acclimate to warmer temperatures before you overexert yourself.
