Cal/OSHA investigations (Study 2) that in 2006 18% of the suspected victims of heat illness died, and 42% required hospitalization for more than 24 hours. Show
Cal/OSHA investigations showed that 52% of the suspected victims of heat illness died, and 32% required hospitalization for more than 24 hours. What is Heat Illness?T8CCR 3395(b) Definitions defines “Heat Illness” as the following: "Heat Illness" means a serious medical condition resulting from the body's inability to cope with a particular heat load, and includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke (see T8 CCR Section 3395). Heat Illness – "More to the Story"What Happens to the BodyHuman beings need to maintain their internal body temperature within a very narrow range of a few degrees above or below 98.6° F. People suffer from heat illness when their bodies are not able to get rid of excess heat and properly cool. The body losses it's "heat balance" because it can not shed heat at a fast enough rate. When the body starts to overheat the blood vessels get bigger and the heart beats faster and harder. More blood flows to the outer layers of the skin from the internal "core" so that the heat can be released into the cooler outside environment. If this process does not cool the body fast enough, or the outside air is warmer than the skin, the brain triggers sweating to cool the body. Sweat glands in the skin draw water from the bloodstream making sweat. The sweat evaporates and releases the heat from the body. During an hour of heavy work in hot weather, the body can easily sweat out one quart of water. Shifting blood to outer body layers (the "shell") causes less blood to go to the brain, muscles, and other organs (the "core"). Prolonged sweating can deplete the body of water and salt causing dehydration. Because the body looses water and the salts that are needed for the muscles to work, muscle cramping may occur. The physiological strain on the body from heat illness may cause the person to become dehydrated, weak, tired, and confused. As dehydration gets worse the body can no longer keep its temperature within the normal range, sweating stops and severe heat illness occurs. In heatstroke, the person’s body temperature rises rapidly damaging the brain, muscles and vital organs causing death. Warning Rapid OnsetHeat illness can develop very rapidly and is not always obvious before it becomes life-threatening. During high heat, heat illness can develop faster and even employees who have been doing their job for sometime are a risk. Warning Variability in Symptom Recognition and ReportingThe symptoms of heat illness may vary between individuals. Also, employees may not accurately recognize and report the symptoms. As a result victims may be placed at a greater health risk. A person certified to provide first aid should be available at the work site to initially evaluate potential heat illness victims. See Emergency Response Procedures Victims of heat illness may not report the full range of symptoms they are feeling because they:
Types of Heat Illness and Common Signs/SymptomsHeat illness affects the body, causing employees with mild symptoms to experience weakness, tiredness, and mental confusion, or even exhibit irritable or erratic behavior. Heat illness can also affect employees work performance and increase their risk of having accidents. Warning Employees should be encouraged never to discount any discomfort or symptoms they are experiencing when working in heat, after work or before the next workday. Heat illness symptoms can occur even after work has stopped. They should immediately report any problems they are experiencing to a supervisor and coworker, or a family member to seek prompt medical attention. Employees and supervisors must be fully trained on the prevention of heat illness before they are assigned to work in locations where they are at risk for heat illness. Heat illness can be one or more of the following medical conditions including: heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. The following symptoms are commonly associated with the different heat illness medical conditions. Given the variability in recognition and reporting of heat illness symptoms, the information listed below should be used only as a general guideline to train employees and supervisors. Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) - Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating and clogged pores during hot, humid weather. General Symptoms:
Heat Cramps - Heat cramps affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous work activity. Sweating makes the body loose salts and fluids and minerals. If only the fluids are replaced and not the salts and minerals painful muscles cramps may result. General Symptom:
Fainting (Heat Syncope) - Employees who stand for long periods or suddenly get up from a sitting or lying position when working in the heat may experience sudden dizziness and fainting. In both cases, the fainting is caused by a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain. Dehydration and lack of acclimatization to work in warm or hot environments can increase the susceptibility to fainting. Victims normally recover consciousness rapidly after they faint. General Symptoms:
Heat ExhaustionHeat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and the salt contained in sweat. Warning Cool skin temperature is not a valid indicator of a normal body temperature. Although the skin feels cool the internal body temperature may be dangerously high and a serious medical condition may exist. General Symptoms:
HeatstrokeWarning Heatstroke is usually fatal unless emergency medical treatment is provided promptly. General Symptoms:
If the muscles begin to twitch uncontrollably, keep the person from self-injury. Do not place any objects in the mouth. Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until emergency medical treatment is provided to the victim.
Anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, but those most at risk are:
Elderly people are more prone to heat stress than younger people because their body may not adjust well to sudden or prolonged temperature change. They are also more likely to have a chronic medical condition and be taking medication that may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. There are many factors which can cause heat stress and heat-related illness, including:
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of heat exposure and how you should respond. Symptoms vary according to the type of heat-related illness. Babies and young children may show signs of restlessness or irritability and have fewer wet nappies. Older people may become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint. Some heat-related illness and common symptoms include:
The symptoms of heatstroke may be the same as for heat exhaustion, but the skin may be dry with no sweating and the person’s mental condition worsens. Treatment options vary according to the type of heat-related illness. Apply first aid and seek medical assistance immediately if you, or someone you are with, shows any sign of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Heat rash – treatmentTreatment for heat rash includes:
Heat cramps – treatmentTreatment for heat cramps includes:
Dizziness and fainting – treatmentTreatment for dizziness or fainting includes:
Heat exhaustion – treatmentTreatment for heat exhaustion includes:
Heatstroke – treatmentHeatstroke is a medical emergency and requires urgent attention:
Prevention is the best way to manage heat-related illness. Some tips to prevent heat stress include:
Where to get helpThings to remember
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