Monday was the first day of summer, and with the rising summer temperature comes the risk of heat-related illness. Make sure your workers recognize the symptoms and take proper precautions to avoid being overcome by the heat this summer.
Because heat can cause a range of ailments, from discomfort to death, it’s essential that workers—and their supervisors—understand the risks and how to protect against them.
Here are possible health hazards of working in the heat, along with how to recognize them, how to avoid them, and how to cope with them if they do occur.
Heat rash. Although this is uncomfortable rather than dangerous, it is a sign that the temperature is having an effect, and it can be an undesirable distraction. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing is least likely to cause prickly heat, and a cool shower after the work or play period, followed by a sprinkling of talcum or cornstarch, will help relieve the irritation.
Heat stress. This common reaction to high temperatures, especially when accompanied by strenuous activity, can result in thirst, tiredness, dizziness, and even difficulty seeing. Such symptoms suggest it’s time to take a break out of the sun and drink some cool water or fruit juice. This should prevent the possibility of fainting that extreme heat may cause.
Heat cramps. These painful muscle spasms in arms, legs, or intestines are caused by losing salt while sweating. Cooling down and drinking some juice is again the remedy. And making sure your summer diet includes foods that will replace lost salt should prevent a recurrence.
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Heat exhaustion. A person suffering from this common response to strenuous activity in the heat is likely to feel weak and possibly dizzy and/or nauseous. He or she may have chills, clammy skin, and profuse sweating. Again, resting in a cool spot—preferably with feet slightly elevated—and drinking liquids are called for. Because this is a more serious reaction than heat stress, anyone so affected should try for extra rest and a reduced pace of activity for a few days.
Heatstroke. This most serious type of heat sickness is, in fact, life threatening, so great care should be taken that the effects of heat never reach this stage. The victim’s perspiration and its cooling action stop, so skin may be hot to the touch. Poor coordination and confused behavior may be evident, possibly followed by collapse. The proper responses by co-workers or supervisors are immediate removal of the person to a cool place and summoning a doctor or ambulance. While awaiting medical assistance, sponge the person with cold water, apply ice packs or cold drink cans, or immerse him or her in cold water. Continue these efforts until help arrives. Water may be offered if the person is conscious. Hospitalization may be required; extended rest certainly will be.
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If you add high humidity to high temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases. That’s because the body relies on evaporating sweat to cool itself. When it’s very humid out, sweat evaporates very slowly, if at all, and the risk of overheating rises sharply.
Tomorrow, we’ll tell you about six simple tips for preventing heat-related illness that you can share with your employees so that they’ll keep safe in the summer heat, both on and off the job.
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