Heat Stress – Warning Signs and Prevention
With summer just around the corner, and temperatures already on the rise, it is important for HS&E Professionals to be aware of the dangers associated with Heat Stress. This topic is not exclusive to the Oil and Gas Industries, but with a large amount of outdoor work being done, this should be a top priority in our industry. The purpose of the following article is to educate readers on the types and dangers of heat stress, what symptoms to look for, and how to prevent heat related illness from happening in the first place.
Workers who are exposed to extreme heat, or work in hot environments, may be at risk of heat stress which can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. The primary concerns for workers in the Marcellus and Utica are the effects that the outside temperature can have on workers who must wear flame-resistant clothing. Standard flame-resistant clothing is generally very heavy and unable to wick moisture, which can increase the rate at which a worker’s body temperature rises. New synthetic blends for flame resistant clothing are now able to increase comfort by wicking moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler, more comfortable garment. Factors that can increases the risk of heat stress, other than clothing, include the worker’s age, weight, history of heart disease, high blood pressure and certain medications.
The most serious type of heat stress that workers are at risk of is heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. As the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool itself down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106o F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. It is important to note that heat stroke is a legitimate and very serious medical emergency and should be treated as such. Without immediate medical treatment, heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability.
The symptoms of heat stroke include hot, dry skin, hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temperature, confusion, dizziness and slurred speech. If you believe that you or another worker might be suffering from heat stroke, immediately notify a supervisor and call 911. Once a medical professional has been notified, move the sick worker to a cool, shaded area and try to bring the body temperature down. A few methods for cooling are to soak the worker’s clothes with water, spray or shower the worker with water and fanning the body. If ice packs are available, they can be applied to the back of the neck, armpits and groin where major arteries are located.
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually due to sweating, and is a very common form of heat stress. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, extreme weakness or fatigue, dizziness, confusion, pale/flushed complexion, muscle cramps, slightly elevated body temperature and fast, shallow breathing.
Although heat exhaustion is not as serious of a medical emergency as heat stroke, it is important to be aware of the warning signs to avoid further injury. With heat exhaustion, the victim runs the risk of fainting or becoming dizzy, which could lead to a more serious injury to themselves and others around them. If you think one of your coworkers is suffering from heat exhaustion, have them rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area, drink plenty of water or other cool, non-alcoholic beverages, and take a cool shower or bath if possible. If the affected worker does not begin to show signs of improvement, they may be suffering from heat stroke, and you should contact a medical professional immediately.
Heat syncope is a fainting episode or dizziness that usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying position. The biggest danger with heat syncope is the possibility of injury due to a fall after fainting. The largest factors that contribute to heat syncope are dehydration and lack of acclimatization to the high temperature environment. Workers suffering from heat syncope should sit or lie down in a cool place, and slowly drink water or a sports beverage until the symptoms recede.
Heat cramps usually affect workers who sweat excessively during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt and fluid levels, leading to painful cramps. These cramps, or sometimes muscle spasms, usually affect the abdomen, arms and legs. Workers with heat cramps should stop all activity, sit in a cool place and drink clear fluids or sports drinks. After rehydrating, the worker may feel like he or she can return to work. It is important that the victim not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps subside, as further exertion could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Although heat cramps are not classified as a medical emergency, if the victim has a history of heart problems, is on a low-sodium diet, or the cramps do not subside within one hour, you should contact a medical professional immediately.
Heat rash is the least serious, but most uncomfortable form of heat stress. Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. Also known as prickly heat, heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters and is most likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts and in elbow creases. Workers experiencing heat rash should keep the affected are dry and try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible. A dusting of baby powder in the affected areas can help to increase comfort.
Although a great deal of responsibility falls on the employee to prevent heat stress, there are several things that can be done by employers to help keep their workers safe. The key to keeping workers safe, as is the case with most safety related topics, is training. Training all employees who work in excessively hot environments about the risks, symptoms, importance of monitoring themselves and coworkers, treatments and PPE available will have the most significant and immediate impact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that employers schedule maintenance in hot areas for cooler months or cooler parts of the day, reduce the physical demands of workers when the temperature is excessive, assign extra workers as relief, provide rest periods with water breaks, provide cooler areas for use during break periods, and to monitor workers who have a high risk of heat stress.
The CDC also recommends that workers should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun, and high humidity whenever possible. When these exposures cannot be avoided, it is especially important to remember to stay hydrated. Drink water frequently enough that you never become thirsty, at least 1 cup every 15-20 minutes. Keep in mind that just because you do not feel thirsty, does not mean that you are not becoming dehydrated. One easy way to determine your level of hydration is to take note of the color of your urine. The chart shows how to determine your hydration level from the color of your urine, but keep in mind that certain vitamins and supplements can change the color of your urine for up to several hours after you take them.
According to the CDC, it is best to gradually build up to heavy work, try to do the heaviest work during the cooler parts of the day (morning and evening), take extra breaks to cool down and hydrate, try to avoid sugary or alcoholic beverages, monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers, and try to wear light colored, loose fitting, breathable clothing. For those working in fields that require flame resistant clothing, there are lightweight options available for maximizing comfort while still keeping you safe from fire and heat stresses.
Hopefully this article has raised awareness of the dangers of working in high heat. If you are an employer that is looking for more information and training materials, OSHA offers a free heat illness training guide that can be found at www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/osha_heattraining_guide_0411.pdf. This guide contains much of the information that you just read, along with a step-by-step guide for training your employees. Further information on heat stress from OSHA can be found by visiting www.OSHA.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html, or you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress.
By Chris Chadwick, Safety Products Coordinator at SunnySide Supply, Inc. www.SunnySideSupply.com
References:
“Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.” (n.d.). Web. 17 May 2012. www.OSHA.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html.
“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” (n.d.). Web. 15 May 2012.
“National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.” (n.d.). Web. 15 May 2012.