FIGHTING HEAT STRESS Department of Environmental Health Safety

FIGHTING HEAT STRESS Department of Environmental Health & Safety 1

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT EXHAUSTION Department of Environmental Health & Safety HEAT STROKE 2

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT EXHAUSTION What Are The Symptoms? ü Headaches, dizziness, or light-headedness ü Weakness, mood changes, irritability or confusion ü Nausea, vomiting, or fainting ü Decreased and dark-colored urine ü Pale or clammy skin Department of Environmental Health & Safety 3

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT EXHAUSTION First Aid / Emergency Response ü Move the person to a cool, shaded area. DON’T LEAVE THEM ALONE. ü If dizzy or light-headed, lay them on their back, raise legs about 6 -8 inches. ü If sick to their stomach, lay them on their side. ü Loosen and remove heavy clothing. ü Have them drink a small cup of cool water every 15 minutes (if not sick to stomach). ü Cool the person such as fanning, spray mist of cool water or damp cloth. ü IF NO IMPROVEMENT CALL 911 Department of Environmental Health & Safety 4

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT EXHAUSTION HEAT STROKE If heat exhaustion is not treated it may advance to HEAT STROKE. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 5

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT STROKE What Are The Symptoms? ü Dry, pale skin, sweating may still be present. ü Hot, red skin (looks like a sunburn). ü Mood changes, irritability, confusion. ü Not making any sense. ü Seizures or fits, or collapse. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 6

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT STROKE First Aid / Emergency Response ü CALL 911 ü Move the person to a cool and shaded area. ü Don’t leave the person alone. ü Lay them on their back. ü If seizures, remove objects close to them. ü If sick to their stomach, lay them on their left side. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 7

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” HEAT STROKE First Aid / Emergency Response - continued ü CALL 911 ü Remove heavy and outer clothing. ü If not feeling sick to their stomach, give small amounts of cool water. ü Cool the person by fanning them. ü Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water, wet cloth, or wet sheet. ü If ice is available, place ice packs in their armpits and groin area. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 8

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” PREVENTION % RELATIVE HUMIDITY 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 T E 85 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 93 95 97 99 102 105 108 M 90 84 85 86 87 88 90 91 93 95 96 98 100 102 106 109 113 117 122 P 95 88 90 91 93 94 96 98 101 104 107 110 114 119 124 130 136 E 100 93 95 97 99 101 104 107 110 115 120 126 132 138 144 R A 105 97 100 102 105 109 113 118 123 129 135 142 149 T 110 102 105 108 112 117 123 130 137 143 150 U 115 107 111 115 120 127 135 143 151 R 120 111 116 123 130 139 148 E 125 116 123 131 141 FEELS LIKE 130 122 131 Department of Environmental Health & Safety 9

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” ü Drink water, about 1 cup every 15 minutes. ü Be aware of heat-related illness symptoms. ü Monitor yourself and fellow co-workers. ü Block out direct sun or other heat sources. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 10

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” continued ü Use cooling fans/air-conditioning; rest regularly. ü Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes. ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety 11

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” continued - AVOID - ALCOHOLS HEAVY MEALS CAFFEINE Department of Environmental Health & Safety 12

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” What about a sports drink? They “Re-Hydrate” Right? Department of Environmental Health & Safety 13

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” Water is the best beverage for simply rehydrating. However during exercise or just being outside on a hot day ELECTROLYTES are also lost! 14

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” WHAT IS AN ELECTROLYTE? In human health, electrolytes aid in a number of vital bodily processes. Many heart and nerve functions, muscle control and coordination, and the body's ability to absorb fluids all depend on a healthy balance of electrolytes. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 15

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” Where Are Electrolytes Found? ü Many fruits and vegetables (potatoes, avocados) ü Fruit juices ü Milk ü Sports drinks Department of Environmental Health & Safety 16

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” What Electrolytes Are Found In Us? The most common electrolytes found in the human body are sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. Various hormones in the body help regulate intake of these electrolytes, and the kidneys filter electrolytes which reach excessive levels. 17

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” CAUTION! Unhealthy levels of consumption of any or all of the body's necessary electrolytes can cause serious health issues. Department of Environmental Health & Safety 18

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” REHYDRATION – Getting Water Back In The Body Electrolyte drinks containing sodium and potassium salts replenish the body's water and electrolyte levels after dehydration caused by things such as, but not limited to: Ø Ø Ø Excessive Alcohol Consumption Exercise Diarrhea Vomiting Intoxication Starvation examples only – no endorsements Department of Environmental Health & Safety 19

PREVENTION WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” It Is Recommended To Dilute Sports Drinks 50% With Water! examples only – no endorsements Department of Environmental Health & Safety 20

PREVENTION What About ENERGY DRINKS? WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” Energy drinks contain about three times the amount of caffeine as sodas! 21

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” and remember, it can sneak up on you! Department of Environmental Health & Safety 22

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” STAY COOL! …try anyway! Department of Environmental Health & Safety 23

WHAT IS “HEAT STRESS” questions 24