Heat illness
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Transcript of Heat illness
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Atlanta Federal Health and Safety Council
13 July, 2011
OSHA Atlanta East Area Office
OSHA’s Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers
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Heat Illness: Matter of Life or Death
• May cause heat cramps, heat rash, or more severe heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Heat stroke can be deadly.• Early and quick action can
save lives.
WHY?Time of year
Prevented
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Employers Can Prevent Heat Illness
• Be aware that both Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke can be prevented
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Know when to take action• Include frequent water
breaks, ample time to rest and shade for workers
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
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Prevention Campaign = 3 Words*
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Heat Illness Prevention Advice
Employers need to be aware of the following risk factors for workers:
Construction and General Industry• High temperature and
humidity• Direct sun exposure (no
shade) • Limited air movement (no
breeze)• Strenuous work tasks
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Heat Illness Prevention Advice (cont.)
• Along with water, rest and shade, employers should make sure workers are acclimatized to heat environments
• Especially those new to working in hot environments
• This includes workers with a lack of recent exposure to hot working conditions (away for more than a week)
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Heat Illness Website Resources
Here is whereyou have access
to all ofOSHA’s
Heat Campaignmaterials
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Educational Resources Page
• Publications: Fact Sheets, Posters [English/Spanish]
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Community Posters
• Community posters are available in both English and Spanish
• Posters communicate the message: Water. Rest. Shade. The work can’t get done without them.
• OSHA adds “Let’s make heat safety part of the job”.
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Training Page
• OSHA’s Lesson Plan for Employers• Cal/OSHA:
– Heat Safety Training Kit for Employers– DVD: Water, Rest, Shade: The Work
Can’t Get Done Without Them• Access to other valuable training
materials from various sources
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OSHA’s Lesson Plan for Employers
• “Heat Illness Prevention Training Guide: A Lesson Plan for Employers” is a short, participatory, easy to follow plan for employers to prevent heat illness and provide training to their workers.
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Employer Provided Training
Workers need to be trained to know what to do when a worker has signs of heat exhaustion:
• Call supervisor• Stay with worker until help arrives• Move worker to cooler/shaded area; • Fan and mist the worker with water • Provide cool drinking water
If the worker feels confused, vomits, or faints, this may indicate heat stroke Call 911 immediately!
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Media Resources Page
• Press Release Labor & Trade
• Labor Secretary’s Public Service Announcement
Both are available in English and en Español
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Partnering Resources
• OSHA is also partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on weather service alerts.
*
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The Risk of Heat Stress
Your risk of heat stress depends on many factors.
These include:• Your physical condition• The weather (temperature, humidity)• How much clothing you have on• How fast you must move or • How much weight you must lift• If you are near a fan or there is a breeze• If you are in the sun.
Heat emergencies
Warning signs of Heat Stroke vary but may include:• an extremely high body temperature (above 103°F, orally)• red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)• rapid, strong pulse• throbbing headache• dizziness, nausea• disorientation, confusion• unconsciousness
If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a LIFE-THREATENING emergency. Call 911
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SKIN TURGOR (elasticity)
• A quick check of skin turgor by pinching the skin over the back of the hand, on the abdomen, or over the front of the chest under the collarbone is a good way to check for dehydration at home.
• Mild dehydration will cause the skin to be slightly slow in its return to normal.
• To rehydrate, drink more fluids -- particularly water.• If turgor is severe, indicating moderate or severe
dehydration, see your health care provider immediately.
First Responder Skin Test
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Compliance Assistance
OSHA offers consultation services to employers:
Contact OSHA 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). It’s free. For other compliance assistance
information and services… www.osha.gov
Occupational Safetyand Health AdministrationU. S. Department of Labor
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Heat Illness Prevention Challenge!
When it is hot and humid outside, employers should:
Encourage workers to drink water and rest in the shade
Provide contact information for workers in an emergency
EMPHASIZE: Water. Rest. Shade. Heat illness can be prevented!
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QUESTIONS
OSHA’s Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers
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