NUECES COUNTY RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

You will be able to: Understand how hot conditions affect

your body Recognize symptoms of heat illness Take precautions to reduce the risk of heat

illness

Why working in hot conditions can be hazardous to your health and safety

Types of heat-related illness Measures to prevent heat stress on the job

Blood circulates closer to the skin so heat is lost

Body sends sweat to the skin’s surface

Sweat evaporates off the skin, cooling the body

High Temperature

+ High Humidity

+ Physical Work

= Heat Illness

Radiant heat

Air velocity

Acclimatization (getting used to heat) Age Physical condition and overall health Metabolism Use of alcohol

Hot, humid environments where sweat can’t evaporate

Red, bumpy rash that often itches

Uncomfortable, making sleep difficult

Treatment and prevention:

Rest in a cool place Keep your skin dry

and clean

Worker not used to hot environment Worker stands still in heat Blood pools in the legs, so less blood goes

to the brain Quick recovery after lying down in cool

place Prevent by moving around a little rather

than standing still all the time

Painful muscle cramps

Caused by loss of salt when sweating

Treated/prevented by drinking electrolyte liquids

Severe cases require intravenous saline solutions

Loss of fluids and salt Feeling weak, dizzy, or nauseous Skin is clammy and complexion is pale or

flushed Treatment:

Rest in cool place Drink electrolyte solution

Severe cases: victims vomit or lose consciousness

Victim stops sweating Symptoms include

hot, dry skin Confusion,

convulsions, or loss of consciousness may follow

Call for an ambulance immediately

Keep victim cool and provide fluids if conscious

Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides?

Decreased strength, increased fatigue Reduced comprehension and ability to

retain information Safety procedures not followed Other risks

General ventilation

Spot cooling

Shielding from radiant heat sources

Substituting machinery for manual labor

Schedule heavy work for a cooler time of year or in the evening and early morning

Allow more frequent breaks or longer rest periods

Allow time for workers to become conditioned to heat

Reduce physical demand on workers Use relief workers Limit hours on hot work environments Pace the work

Shade-providing hats

Portable water products

Reflective clothing

Systems that circulate air around the body

Events leading up to the incident Work being done at time of incident Length of time employee working Engineering and administrative controls PPE Medical surveillance and worker

monitoring

Do you understand the information presented in the previous slides?

Drink plenty of water all day

Drink electrolyte-balanced fluids if you sweat a lot

Drink at least one cup of fluid every 15-20 minutes when working in hot conditions

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Working in hot conditions can affect your health and safety

Understand the risks and the precautions Know symptoms of heat-related illness and

first-aid response Use all available measures to reduce heat

stress and keep safe and healthy when working in hot conditions

Contact Risk Management: Risk Manager:lance.esswein@co.nueces.tx.us Emergency Risk Management

Specialist:martha.sanchez@co.nueces.tx.us

361-888-0401