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Summertime is definitely here again, and with that
comes the heat!
We will be reviewing information about general
heat information, signs and symptoms of heat
stress, and prevention of heat related illnesses.
The next slide will show us the Heat Index and
how temperature and humidity can interact to
increase the likelihood of heat related illnesses.
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Heat Cramps
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Perspiration begins (resulting in loss of water)
Body slowly becomes dehydrated
Dehydration leads to heat cramps.
As heat cramps develop, muscle tissue
becomes less flexible.
• It becomes more difficult and more painful to
move (Muscles in the legs are most frequently
affected).
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Heat Exhaustion
• Perspiration increases and body temperature rises and
the skin may appear cool, moist, and pale.
• Person may experience headache, nausea, exhaustion,
and a general sense of weakness.
• Before long, dizziness, faintness, and mental confusion
develop.
• Heat exhaustion is common for anyone who wears
heavy clothing (including FRC’s) in hot weather.
• Breathing becomes rapid and shallow.
• The urine of a person with heat exhaustion is likely to be
dark yellow or orange.
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Heat Stroke
• The body's temperature regulation system may
begin to fail.
• The brain is no longer able to send messages to the
rest of the body telling it how to cool off.
• The Person may become mentally confused and
aggressive and may begin to stagger and feel faint.
• A persons pulse rate may reach 160 to 180 beats
per minute during a heat stroke.
• Skin appears to be dry and flushed and very little
perspiration.
• Person needs immediate medical attention.
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Get Acclimated!
• Acclimatization to the heat through short
exposures followed by longer periods of work in
hot environments can reduce heat stress.
• Like breaking in new boots---a little exposure
each day, gradually increasing the length of the
exposure can help us to become more tolerant
of hotter environments.
• How many days does it take to get used to
unusual heat?
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Get Acclimated!
• It takes 4 to 7 days to get used to unusual
heat.
• You may have to acclimate periodically as
the summer temperatures continue to rise.
• You may have to re-acclimate after
vacation, or if you are away from work for
a few days.
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Stay Hydrated
•
Hydration is your body’s ability to absorb and
manage water down to the cellular level.
•
Proper hydration is one of the components of a
healthy lifestyle as are: overall diet, exercise,
sleep, and mental outlook.
•
Divide your body weight by 2, then substitute
ounces for pounds on the remainder
(ex - a 200# man/2 = 100 ounces of fluids - OR
- roughly 6-7 16 ounces of bottled water)
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Stay Hydrated
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The ability to lose body heat during heavy labor
depends, for the most part, on the formation
and evaporation of sweat.
Dehydrated individuals are extremely intolerant
of heat stress.
Drinking will minimize dehydration, lessen the
rise in internal body temperature and reduce
stress placed on the circulatory system.
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Breaks & Rest
• Increase the frequency and duration of rest
breaks.
• Schedule tasks to avoid heavy physical activity
during the hottest parts of the day.
• Provide and encourage the consumption of cool
drinking water / Max Hydration / other
electrolyte-replacement drinks.
• Use additional workers for the job or SLOW
DOWN the pace of the work.
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Words to Know
• Electrolytes:
– Chemicals that occur naturally in the body
and that maintain the proper balance of fluids
in the body.
• Hyperthermia:
– The general name for any form of heat
disorder.
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