HEAT ILLNESS TRAINING HEAT ILLNESS TRAINING Agenda Why

HEAT ILLNESS TRAINING

HEAT ILLNESS TRAINING Agenda Why Safety Matters Heat Illness: What to Look For Heat Stroke: What to Look For Tips on Prevention Test Your Knowledge

Every day in the United States 11 workers are seriously injured or die from heat stress. *

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Different types of Heat Illness • • Heat Cramps Heat Syncope Heat Exhaustion Heat Stroke These illnesses are NOT a progression! You can go straight to heat stroke with no other symptoms!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat Cramps - Symptoms & Treatments Painful, involuntary muscle spasms in the heat Treatment: • Move to shade/cooler area to rest • Drink fluids • Gently stretch and massage the muscle • Don’t resume activity immediately after the cramps stop

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat Syncope – Symptoms & Treatments Fainting episode in high environmental temperatures Treatment: • Sit or lie down • Move to shade/cooler area • Elevate legs • Drink fluids

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat Exhaustion - Symptoms The inability to continue working in the heat – may include: • Fatigue • Nausea • Fainting • Diarrhea • Irritability • Headache • Decreased muscle coordination

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat Exhaustion - Treatments: • Move to shade/cooler area • Remove excess clothing • Elevate legs • Drink fluids • Cool the worker down with compresses like cold towels or sponges to lower body temperature

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE POP QUIZ What are Common Causes of Heat Illness? High temperatures Strenuous activity Dehydration

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat stroke Heat stoke is your body’s inability to regulate its core temperature, causing it to overheat. As your body loses water and salts, its temperature rises to extreme levels. This is a life-threatening emergency! EHS-related death is preventable thorough immediate recognition of the signs and symptom.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Common symptoms of heat stroke Body temperature of 105° or higher Strong and rapid pulse Physical collapse, Inability to walk Extreme disorientation, dizziness, vomiting Low blood pressure Unconsciousness and possible seizures

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Heat Stroke Treatment 2 CALL AN AMBULANCE Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention Cold water immersion 3 “Exertional heat stroke has had a 100% survival rate when immediate cooling via cold-water immersion was initiated within 10 minutes of collapse. ” – Dr. Douglas Casa

PREVENTION TIPS Avoid heavy exertion, extreme heat, direct sun exposure, and high humidity when possible. When you can’t avoid these factors, be sure to take preventative steps: Monitor each other Take breaks Wear lightweight clothing Rest in a cool area Build up to heavy work Drink fluids before, during, and after heat exposure Use Body Cooling PPE

PREVENTION TIPS Pay attention to your urine! Pale yellow Honey yellow Cloudy/darker yellow Orange/yellow Normal hydration Rehydrate soon Body needs hydration Severely dehydrated Don’t wait until you’re thirsty — hydrate throughout the day

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Exposed to sun while coworkers are under shade Drinking cola Sweating in heavy clothing Not monitoring coworker

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE TRUE One potential sign of heat stroke is physical collapse. Heat stroke is serious, but it’s not always a medical emergency. When a worker is suffering from heat syncope, have them lie down, give them water, and elevate their legs. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat cramps, elevate their legs. POP QUIZ FALSE