Bechtel First Response Training
Heat Stress Prevention
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Safety is Our Value
“We measure safety performance by
the number of incidents.
But let’s be clear…
it’s really not about incident rates…
it’s about people.
People who have faces, names,
families, hopes, and dreams.”
-Riley Bechtel
August 15, 2001
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 2
Heat Stress Prevention:
Enabling Learning Objectives
 Hydration and the human body
 Heat stress defined
 Predisposing and susceptibility
factors
 Overview of heat-related illnesses
 First aid response to heat stress
 Heat stress prevention
 BESH Core Process 314:
Heat and Cold Stress Prevention
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 3
Water and the Human Body
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 4
Hydration
 When performing physical
work, sweat output often
exceeds water intake,
producing a body water deficit
(dehydration)
 Dehydration can negatively
affect productivity, safety, and
morale
 OSHA recommends replacing
fluids frequently when
exposed to heat stress, such
as one cup (250 ml) every 20
minutes when working in
warm environments
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 5
Predisposing Factors to Heat Stress
 Environment
– Amount of time exposed
– Temperature and humidity
– Wind velocity
 Age
 Medical condition
 Ingestion of drugs or
poisons
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 6
Susceptibility Factors to Heat Stress
 Poor or inadequate
circulation
 Fatigue
 Poor nutrition
 Alcohol or drug use
 Cigarette smoking
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 7
Maintaining Hydration
 Urine color and sense of thirst can
help you assess your hydration
state
 Even mild dehydration can impact
physical performance, blood
pressure and thinking
 Physical activity level, clothing,
equipment and weather influence
fluid needs
 Take extra precautions if you have
chronic illnesses (e.g. high blood
pressure, diabetes)
– See your Project Nurse or personal
doctor for more information
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 8
Types of Heat Illnesses
 Hyperthermia
 Heat cramps
 Heat exhaustion
 Heat stroke
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 9
Hyperthermia
 Illness that results when the
body is exposed to more heat
energy than it can regulate
 Signs that you are too hot:
• Headache, dizziness, or fainting
• Weakness and wet skin
• Irritability or confusion
• Thirst, nausea, or vomiting
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 10
Heat Cramps
 Painful muscle spasms, usually
involving the muscles fatigued by
heavy work such as calves, thighs,
abdomen, and shoulders
 Exact cause of heat cramps is
unknown, but is probably related to
electrolyte imbalance
 Rest in a cool place and drink
– Electrolyte and sports beverages
(e.g. Gatorade) can replenish
electrolytes
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 11
Heat Exhaustion
 Fluid depletion
 Mild hypovolemic shock
 Signs and symptoms
– Weakness or exhaustion
– Nausea and headache
– Dizziness or faintness
– Rapid pulse
– Cold, clammy skin
– Elevated temperature
– May be confused
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 12
Heat Stroke
 Least common, a MEDICAL EMERGENCY
– Untreated heat stroke will result in death
 Signs and symptoms
– Hot, dry and flushed skin
– May be confused
– Unresponsive
– Seizures
– Falling blood pressure
– Temp of 106°F or more
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 13
Heat Stress First Aid Response
 Call Supervisor to the location
 Move person from environment
 Loosen/remove clothing
 Fan person or run air conditioner
 Apply cool packs to neck, groin,
and armpits
 Apply water with a sponge or wet
towel
 If unresponsive, roll person to left
side (recovery position) and call
Project Nurse or 911
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 14
Heat Stress Prevention
 Increase your fluid intake in hot weather,
regardless of your activity level
 Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they
add heat to your body
 Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours
 Wear light-colored, lightweight clothing
 Pair up and watch a co-worker for signs
of heat exhaustion (buddy system)
– Remind your buddy to drink water or
take a break
– Talk to your buddy during the work
shift to make sure everything is okay
 Report any problems promptly to a
Supervisor
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 15
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 16
BESH Core Process 314:
Heat and Cold Stress Prevention
 Drink at least 2 cups of water before
beginning work in the morning and after
lunch
 Drink 5-8 liters of water each day
 Maintain good hygiene with showering
and daily changes of clothing
 Use of alcohol during non-working hours
is strongly discouraged
 Intake of coffee during working hours is
discouraged
 Monitor yourself and your co-workers for
signs of heat stress; immediately report
any signs of heat stress to your
Supervisor
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 17
BESH Core Process 314:
Heat and Cold Stress Prevention, Exhibit A-2
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 18
BESH Core Process 314:
Heat and Cold Stress Prevention, Exhibit A-3
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 19
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 20
Test Your Learning
1. What are 3 predisposing or
susceptibility factors to heat
stress?
2. How can someone assess their
own hydration state?
3. What are the signs that a
person is too hot?
4. What is the first aid response
for heat exhaustion?
5. How can you prevent heat
stress?
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 21
We value your Safety and Health
Questions?
Speak with your
Project Nurse or
Safety Professional
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 22
Learn More about
Heat Stress Prevention
 Bechtel Core Process 228:
Drinking Water and Ice (BecWeb)
 Bechtel Core Process 314:
Heat and Cold Stress Prevention
(BecWeb)
 Cal/OSHA
(http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatilln
essinfo.html)
 Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC.gov)
 National Institute for Occupational
Safety & Health (NIOSH.org)
 National Safety Council (NSC.org)
 Occupational Safety & Health
Administration (OSHA.gov)
Bechtel Environmental, Safety, and Health (BESH)
Slide 23