Marshik Insurance Agency, Inc.

Archive for the ‘Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Guide’ Category

In these extremely hot days we are having with the high humidity levels, we have to be careful to avoid heat stress.  We also need to watch over our elderly and young people as they are especially susceptible to the dangers of these high temperatures and high humidity.  Too much heat can make you tired and hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury.  You can get skin rash. 

You can also get: 

Dehydration: When your body loses water, you can’t cool off fast enough.  You feel thirsty and weak.

Cramps:  You can get muscle cramps from the heat even after you leave work.

Heat Exhaustion:  You feel tired, nauseous, headachy, and giddy (dizzy & silly).  Your skin is damp and looks muddy or flushed.  You may faint

Heat Stroke:  You may have hot dry skin and a high temperature.  Or you may feel confused.  You may have convulsions or become unconsious.  Heat stroke can kill you unless you get emergency medical help.

Protect Yourself:  Try to do these things:

Keep taking rest breaks.  Rest in a cool shady spot.  Use fans.

Wear light-colored clothing made of cotton.

Do the heaviest work in the coolest time of the day.

Work in the shade.

For heavy work in hot areas, take turns with other  workers, so some can rest.

If you travel to a warm area for a new job, you need time for your body to get used to the heat.  Be extra careful the first 2 weeks on the job.

If you work in protective clothing, you need more rest breaks.  You may also need to check your temperature and heart rate. 

If you think someone has a heat stroke, call emergency services (or 911).  Immediately move the victim to the shade.  Loosen his/her clothes. Wipe or spray his/her skin with cool water and fan him/her.  You can use a piece of cardboard or other material as a fan.

Keep yourself safe and healthy and keep an eye on others who are in danger of this as well.

Tips in this guide from Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health.   (eLCOSH.org)