Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

Coping with the Heat



The following article is a condensation from the "Safety News Alert" newsletter from BLR (http://www.blr.com/). It provides information on how your employees can deal with the heat associated with the summer months.


Regardless of the setting for work or play, indoors or outdoors, employees need to know how to cope with the heat. Heat safety training should emphasize both hazards and prevention.


Heat Hazards
Heat hazards in order of seriousness include:

• Heat rash — not dangerous, but definitely uncomfortable. Employee showers after work and a sprinkle of talcum are helpful.
• Heat stress — symptoms may be extreme thirst, fatigue, dizziness, and even trouble seeing. A break in the shade is a good idea and a drink of cool water. DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages.
• Heat cramps — exhibited through painful muscle spasms in arms, legs, or intestines. Caused by losing salt as the result of sweating. A cool down and drink of cool water is recommended.
• Heat exhaustion — can result in weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, chills with clammy skin and profuse sweating. The employee should rest in a cool spot, with feet slightly elevated, and drink cool water unless vomiting . If there's no improvement in a short time, get medical help!
• Heatstroke — is the most serious, life-threatening, form of heat sickness in which the cooling action of perspiration stops. The skin may be hot to the touch and the victim may appear confused and show poor coordination. Call a doctor and/or ambulance and move the victim to a cool place at once, then continuously sponge with cold water. Apply ice packs or cold soft-drink cans until medical help arrives.

Preventing Heat Illness
To protect workers from heat hazards you can:

• Schedule the heaviest periods of work during the coolest parts of the day.
• Allow frequent breaks (in a cool place out of the sun if possible).
• Make cool water available and encourage workers to drink frequently and plentifully.
• Encourage employees and their families to follow sensible precautions to keep safe in the heat: For example:
  - Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes, plus a lightweight cotton hat.
  - Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of cool (not cold) nonalcoholic, caffeine-free fluids.
  - Limit exposure to the sun as much as possible by scheduling outdoor activities for mornings and evenings, and try to stay in the shade if outside in the midday.
  - Use sunscreen, preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher, to protect the skin against burning and cancer.
  - Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from hazardous UV rays.
  - Avoid hot and heavy meals. Instead, eat light foods at room temperature and choose small portions of fruits and vegetables which contain a lot of fluids.
  

Who's at Risk?
Some people are likely to be at greater risk than others on especially hot days covering people who:

• Overexert during working or exercising may be at greater risk of dehydration and need to drink more.
• Have to wear heavy protective clothing or equipment on the job can easily overheat and need to take off their protection periodically, take cooling-off breaks, and drink plenty of fluid.
• Are overweight are often more susceptible to heat sickness because they retain more body heat. They need to pace themselves and avoid overexertion when it's very hot.
• Are ill with heart disease or high blood pressure, or those who take various medications, are at greater risk when it's hot and should follow doctor's orders.
• Are tired may be more susceptible to heat stress and need to try to get more rest.

Labels: -, employees, Safety Compliance, Safety Management, Training