Heat Related Illness

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Heat Related Illness
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Heat Related Illness

• Objectives
• Factors that create HRI
• Stages of HRI
• Care Basic First Aid!
• Protecting employees

3
Heat Related Illness

• When the body is unable to cool itself through
  sweating, serious heat related illness can occur
  quickly

4
Heat Related Illness

• If the warning signals are ignored the
  consequences can be very serious
• Kidney damage
• Brain damage
• Death

5
Ideal condition for heat related illness

• Strenuous activities outside on a hot day
• Working in a hot room with no air circulation
• Not enough fluid intake while working
• Working in a building where cooling system fails
• Humid conditions combined with mild to hot temps

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Heat Index Chart
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Heat related fatalities
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At Risk Employees

• Age
• Have had prior heat related illness
• Wear PPE, like suits or respirators
• Are not used to working in heat
• Are not physically fit
• Are taking certain medications/have medical
  conditions

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Heat Stress Factors

• Environmental
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Radiant Heat
• Air velocity

• Personal Characteristics
• Age
• Weight
• Fitness level
• Medical condition
• Heat acclimatization

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Stages and Treatment of Heat Related Illnesses

• Heat Rash
• Mild rash/blisters
• Skin is exposed to humid heat and stays wet
• Clean dry skin and clothes

• Heat Cramps
• Muscle spasms extremities or abdominal
• Loss of electrolytes from sweating
• Give electrolytes

• Heat Exhaustion
• Fatigue, headache, nausea, giddiness, clammy
  skin, rapid pulse, fainting
• Dehydration, out of shape
• Keep cool, give water or electrolytes

• Heat Stroke
• Hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions, no
  sweating, unconsciousness
• Severe dehydration
• Immediate cooling, treat for shock, begin
  CPR/AED, call 911!

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Protecting Employees

• Educate and train frequently

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Protecting Employees

• Control the environment and work processes
  whenever possible

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Protecting Employees

• Hydrate
• Drink plenty of water (make it a requirement) 1
  cup every 20 minutes
• Carbohydrate content of beverages less than 6
  by volume

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Protecting Employees

• Provide PPE and other tools for the job

• Cooling vests
• Water
• Sunscreen

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Heat Related Illness
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Heat Related Illness

• Objectives
• Factors that create HRI
• Stages of HRI
• Care Basic First Aid!
• Protecting employees

18
When the body is unable to cool itself through
sweating, serious heat related illness can occur
quickly
19
Heat Related Illness

• If the warning signals are ignored the
  consequences can be very serious
• Kidney damage
• Brain damage
• Death

20
Ideal condition for heat related illness

• Strenuous activities outside on a hot day
• Working in a hot room with no air circulation
• Not enough fluid intake while working
• Working in a building where cooling system fails
• Humid conditions combined with mild to hot temps

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Heat Index Chart
22
Heat related fatalities
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• Who is at risk?

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At Risk Employees

• age
• have had prior heat related illness
• wear PPE, like suits or respirators
• are not used to working in heat
• are not physically fit
• are taking certain medications/have medical
  conditions

25
Heat Stress Factors

• Personal Characteristics
• Age
• Weight
• Fitness level
• Medical condition
• Heat acclimatization

• Environmental
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Radiant Heat
• Air velocity

26
Stages and Treatment of Heat
Related Illnesses

• Heat Rash
• Mild rash/blisters
• Skin is exposed to humid heat and stays wet
• Clean dry skin and clothes

• Heat Cramps
• Muscle spasms extremities or abdominal
• Loss of electrolytes from sweating
• Give electrolytes

• Heat Exhaustion
• Fatigue, headache, nausea, giddiness, clammy
  skin, rapid pulse, fainting
• Dehydration, out of shape
• Keep cool, give water or electrolytes

• Heat Stroke
• Hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions, no
  sweating, unconsciousness
• Severe dehydration
• Immediate cooling, treat for shock, begin
  CPR/AED, call 911!

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• How can we protect our employees?

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Protecting Employees

• Educate and train frequently

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Protecting Employees

• Control the environment and work processes
  whenever possible

30
Protecting Employees

• Hydrate
• Drink plenty of water (make it a requirement)
  1 cup every 20 minutes
• Carbohydrate content of beverages less than 6
  by volume

31
Protecting Employees

• Provide PPE and other tools for the job
• Cooling vests
• Water
• Sunscreen

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Review

• In this workshop we covered awareness, basic
  first aid and heat stress prevention/protection
  techniques in the workplace.