VALERO – KROTZ SPRINGS
SHG #47
Page 1 of 5
Approved 10/11/01
HEAT STRESS GUIDELINE
1.0
PURPOSE
To provide employee and supervisory guidance in best practices to prevent, manage and treat
heat related illnesses.
2.0
SCOPE
This guideline applies to work activities of all company employees.
3.0
DEFINITIONS
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Acclimatization - Physiological adjustments made by your body in response to regular
exposure to heat or cold. In the case of heat, some of the adjustments made include
sweating sooner in response to heat stress, lowering of the salt content in perspiration,
slower heart beat and improvement in the blood flow to the skin. It does NOT make an
individual immune to heat illness.
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Conductive Heat - A direct means of transferring heat from a warmer body to a colder
body by direct contact.
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Convective Heat - An indirect means of transferring heat from heated air around or
near a hot surface to a cooler body.
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Heat Cramps - Muscle spasms induced by hard work in intense heat, accompanied by
severe pain; often related to body fluid or electrolyte deficiencies or imbalances. Some
cases have been attributed to prior over indulgence in alcohol.
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Heat Exhaustion - A form of heat illness caused by excessive loss of fluid and/or
electrolytes. Signs and symptoms include cool, clammy and pale skin, nausea, vomiting,
profuse sweating, headaches, trembling, weakness and a rapid, weak pulse.
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Heat Stress - The changes that occur in your body in response to increases in body
temperature.
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Heat Stroke - A LIFE THREATENING heat illness in which the body temperature rises
drastically, usually above 104 degrees F. Its symptoms include skin which is hot,
flushed, and dry (sweating has stopped), a rapid weak or bounding pulse, increased
respiratory rate, decreased level of consciousness, seizures, and/or coma.

Radiant Heat - Heat that is transferred to a cooler body by absorption of infrared rays
from a heated surface or the sun.
VALERO – KROTZ SPRINGS
4.0
RESPONSIBILITIES
GROUP
Employees
SHG #47
Page 2 of 5
Approved 10/11/01
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Supervision
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Refinery Safety Personnel
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5.0
RESPONSIBILITY
Understand the hazards related to heat stress and how
to properly manage these risks on an individual level.
Adhere to good heat stress prevention practices outlined
in this document.
Participate in heat stress management training provided.
Understand the hazards related to heat stress and how to
properly manage these risks on an individual level.
Adhere to good heat stress prevention practices outlined
in this document.
Recognize in their employees and contractors working in
their area early stages of heat illness and encourage
adjustments in work practices and rest periods to
prevent further progression of heat illness.
Where possible, see that work environmental conditions
are adjusted prior to the start of work to minimize heat
stress potentials.
Provide timely and regular awareness training and/or
materials to each refinery organization regarding heat
stress potentials and how to manage, prevent and
respond to heat illnesses.
Provide assistance to refinery operations and
maintenance in the technical aspects of heat illness
prevention or treatment, particularly with regard to
advice and expertise on the use of cool vests or
equipment.
HEAT STRESS MANAGEMENT
5.1
Applicability to Refinery Operations
Heat stress is a very real work place hazard. Due to the geographical location of this refinery,
we experience long periods of high heat and humidity conditions each year. Strenuous work
activities need special attention given to proper heat stress management practices during these
environmental conditions. Significant examples include:
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Tank or vessel cleaning, catalyst changeouts or other similar work;
Wearing of vapor barrier personal protective clothing when handling corrosive
materials;
Working in full sunlight during the hottest portions of the day;
Work activities around process heaters or hot vessels where excessive
radiant heat loads add to other high heat load conditions;
Fire fighting and hazardous material response activities during actual
emergencies or training exercises; and
Welding in enclosed spaces.
VALERO – KROTZ SPRINGS
SHG #47
Page 3 of 5
Approved 10/11/01
5.2
Heat Stress Management Philosophy
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An individual’s fitness to withstand heat stress varies daily due to circumstances
within and outside of their personal control. Factors influencing an individual’s
susceptibility to heat illness include:
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Increasing age;
General state of physical fitness;
Alcohol intake (tends to dehydrate the body);
Medications (prescription and over the counter, e.g., diuretics and cold/allergy
medications)
Smoking (constricts the blood vessels in the skin); and
Mild to severe illnesses and surgeries.
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Due to these factors and the variability of work activities within the refineries, no
single work/rest or heat index guideline is either practical or suitable in properly
managing and preventing heat related illnesses. Heat stress hazards are best
managed under these conditions by each individual having a good understanding
of the factors that can cause heat related illnesses as well as the symptoms,
prevention and proper treatment.
5.3
Prevention Practices
5.3.1
Supervisors
When work conditions are present which could be reasonably anticipated to increase heat
illness potentials, supervisors will take some or all of the following actions:
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Providing easy access to clean drinking water at or near the work area as well
as a dilute (half strength) electrolyte drink (e.g., “Gatorade) for prolonged jobs
(the use of or provision of salt tablets is prohibited);
Allowing Ensuring employees/contractors working in hot environments to take
their rest breaks in cooler areas;
Inform employees of the heat stress hazards associated with smoking /
caffeine use during breaks.
Discouraging smoking by employees/contractors working in hot environments
when taking their rest breaks;
If practical and as needed for prolonged high heat jobs, providing workers
shielding from sources of excessive radiant heat;
Obtaining assistance and guidance from refinery safety personnel on obtaining
when agreed needed worker cool vests;
Allowing Ensuring employees working in high heat environments to self-pace
themselves in deciding when rest breaks are needed.
Refer workers to refinery medical personnel for prompt evaluation if a heat
related illness is suspected.
VALERO – KROTZ SPRINGS
5.3.2
SHG #47
Page 4 of 5
Approved 10/11/01
Employees
When work conditions are present which could be reasonably anticipated to increase heat
illness potentials, employees will take some or all of the following actions:
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6.0
Consuming at least 8 ounces of water, or Gatorade, for each hour worked in
a hot environment, starting to drink even before they get thirsty;
Avoiding heavy meals before working a hot job;
Avoiding consumption of excessive alcohol at least a day before working a
prolonged hot job;
Avoiding smoking when taking rest breaks when working a hot job;
Taking rest breaks when needed but not abusively; and
Informing their coworkers and their supervisor at the first symptoms of the
onset of heat illness and stopping to rest and drink plenty of fluids in a cool
location.
HEAT ILLNESSES - SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT
6.1
Heat Illness Symptoms and Treatment
6.1.1
HEAT CRAMPS
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Heat Cramps are muscle spasms that occur due to deficiencies or imbalances in body
fluids and electrolytes. They typically occur at the beginning of summer and/or during
hot jobs before acclimatization occurs. Some cases have been attributed to
compromised health due to illness, medications, or improper diet. It should be
recognized that heat cramps could be caused either by an excess of electrolytes
(dehydration) or a deficiency of electrolytes, particularly potassium.
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They are quite painful and typically occur first in the primary muscle groups (stomach,
legs, arms, etc.) being used to perform the work activity. Untreated, the prevalence of
the spasms can increase in both severity and the number of muscle groups involved.
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Heat Cramps represent a signal to an individual to stop working and to head promptly to
a cool place to rest and recover while drinking plenty of fluids. Before acclimatization
occurs, individuals tend to loose more electrolytes through sweating. During the early
stages of acclimatization, it is important to consume some electrolytes with water during
rest breaks. A dilute (half strength) electrolyte drink is recommended and should be
available at or near the work area. Consumption of excessive quantities of full strength
electrolyte drinks both during the acclimatization process and even after acclimatization
has occurred can result in excess blood levels of electrolytes and actually promote the
occurrence of muscle cramps! If full strength electrolyte drink is made available due to
taste preferences, it should only be consumed in conjunction with an equal quantity of
water.
VALERO – KROTZ SPRINGS
6.1.2
SHG #47
Page 5 of 5
Approved 10/11/01
HEAT EXHAUSTION
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HEAT EXHAUSTION is classified as an acute reaction to heat exposure. It is caused by
the loss of fluid and/or electrolytes from the body. It can easily progress to HeatStroke.
Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure,
headache, trembling, dizziness and weakness, nausea and/or vomiting, and are
sometimes accompanied by muscle cramps. The skin is often cool, moist and clammy.
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The treatment for HEAT EXHAUSTION is very similar to the treatment described above
for heat cramps. At the onset of symptoms, an individual should promptly move to a cool
place to rest and recover while drinking plenty of fluids. Water should be consumed; a
dilute (1/2 strength) electrolyte drink such as Gatorade or 10K can also be consumed
and is especially important if heat cramps are present or beginning. Drinks containing
caffeine are not recommended during these rest periods. Recovery will occur slowly
as the fluid replacement and rest restore blood circulation.
6.1.3
HEAT STROKE
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HEAT STROKE IS A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION! An individual suffering from
heat stroke will be noted to have hot, dry, flushed skin (sweating has stopped), an
elevated heart rate, headache, nausea and/or vomiting, weakness, dizziness, seizures,
decreased level of consciousness, up to and including coma. It is the eventual result of
heat illness left untreated or improperly treated. Without immediate and prompt
treatment, heat stroke can result in brain damage and death.
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HEAT STROKE treatment MUST BEGIN IMMEDIATELY! Do not wait for medical help
to arrive if a person is experiencing the symptoms of heat stroke. The body must be
cooled by running cool water over the body. If available, ice cold towels or ice packs
should be applied to areas such as the armpits, neck, groin, knee, and ankle areas.
Increase evaporative cooling by fanning the person while cooling with water or ice.
Medical help will continue these treatments to return the body temperature to normal.