Any work or environment that raises body core temperature to 100.4 degrees or higher can potentially result in heat stress and even deadly illness. Learn how to stay safe in hot conditions.
Introduction to heat stress
Exposure to high temperatures and humidity can place you at risk for heat stress. Any work or environment that raises body core temperature to 100.4 degrees or higher can potentially result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope (fainting) and muscle cramps, to name a few.
Heat can also pose other work hazards, like loss of grip due to sweaty palms; loss of vision due to fogging of safety glasses; distractions or loss of focus from sweating; and even burns when in contact with hot surfaces.
What you need to know
Whenever air temperatures exceed 100 degrees or your task requires wearing coveralls or a full-body suit, heat stress is a potential risk.
Heat stroke is a severe form of heat stress that requires immediate action. The body’s sweat mechanism stops working, causing core temperature to increase above 104 degrees. The result is a red, hot body with no ability to sweat or rid itself of excess heat, which can ultimately lead to brain damage or even death. A person experiencing heat stroke may be confused or already unconscious. Immediate treatment is essential to save the person’s life.
First, call 911. While waiting for emergency medical services (EMS) to arrive, use ice, water or a fan to continuously cool the person. If possible, relocate them to a cooler environment. Do not give anything to drink unless they are alert and stable to prevent aspiration and vomiting.
Other heat-related illnesses to look out for include heat exhaustion (the beginning stages of heat stroke), fainting and heat cramps, to name a few.
Though not life-threatening, heat cramps are painful muscle spasms caused by excessive sweating and exertion of certain muscles. Fainting from heat is generally caused by dehydration. Heat exhaustion is the gradual onset of heat stroke, and is characterized by excessive sweating and a pale face resulting from salt and other electrolytes lost through sweat. If heat exhaustion is not recognized, it will progress to heat stroke. Each of these conditions increases your risk for serious injury as reflexes slow and body responses weaken.
Treatment for other heat-related illnesses is to allow the person to cool down and offer tepid or cool (not ice) water. For heat cramps, the person should be assigned to a less strenuous task for the remainder of the shift.
Heat stroke and other related illnesses can be prevented by:
- Drinking plenty of water (at least 64 ounces over an eight-hour shift) or an electrolyte-replacement drink. Do not take salt tablets or drink soda or other caffeinated beverages when working in hot environments
- Taking frequent, short breaks that remove you from the excessive heat
Our bodies can acclimate to heat over a period of seven to 14 days, so the risk of heat stress is reduced over time. This does not, however, eliminate the need to remain hydrated and take precautions.
How to prepare
- Learn to identify heat stroke and how to treat it
- Review your company’s emergency response plan for activating EMS
- Commit to drinking more water in high-heat conditions to remain hydrated
- Do not remove required personal protective equipment (PPE) in active work areas; instead, drink more fluids and take short, frequent breaks in areas where PPE can be safely removed
- Follow a buddy system in which you and your coworkers commit to watching out for danger signs
Key takeaways
- Work environments with high heat and humidity can expose you to heat stress.
- Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. Knowing how to recognize heat stroke and what to do can help save someone’s life.
To learn more about what to do in the incident a worker comes down with heat stroke and how to prevent it in the future connect with OneGroup’s risk management team.
This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.
Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.
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