Heat-Related Illness series was developed to create a better understanding of the different types of heat-related illnesses. These illnesses are prevalent in the workplace year-round, and can affect anyone working in a warm, humid environment both indoors and outdoors. This series will cover topics that include the different types of heat-related illnesses, signs and symptoms of these illnesses, and workplace prevention methods.
Whether you’re working outside in hot temperatures, or in a building with work processes that generate heat, it’s important to recognize the risk of heat-related illness. That starts with understanding the hazards that make heat-related illnesses more likely.
Potential hazards can include:
Working outdoors in extremely hot weather and/or humid conditions
Working near processes or machinery that radiate large amounts of heat
Working in contact with or near hot objects
Completing physically strenuous work tasks, especially in warm environments
Pre-existing health conditions
Any of these hazards, alone or combined, present an increased risk for heat-related illness. If you’re working in an environment with any of these potential hazards, knowing the symptoms and signs of the two most serious heat-related illnesses — heat exhaustion and heat stroke — is essential to keeping yourself and others safe.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE
If you see the following signs in a fellow employee, do not ignore symptoms, but contact your supervisor and a medical first responder immediately. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke should be treated immediately. Here are a few of the most recognizable symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke:
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is the most common heat-related illness. Though it is not as dangerous as heat stroke, if left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Irritability
Heavy sweating
Dizziness
Thirst
Decreased urine output
Headache
Fatigue, weakness, or tiredness
Muscle cramps
Nausea or vomiting
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OBSERVE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION IN YOURSELF OR OTHERS
If you notice these symptoms of heat exhaustion in yourself or someone around you, here are steps you can take to resolve the heat-related illness.
Move the person to a cooler place. Moving that person out of the sun and heat is the first step to help combat their heat exhaustion symptoms.
Drink water. Dehydration is the top cause of any heat-related illness. As your body sweats to keep you cool, you lose water, salt, and electrolytes, which cause symptoms of heat exhaustion. If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of heat exhaustion, the affected person should drink water every 15 to 20 minutes.
Loosen clothing. Tight or restrictive clothing can exacerbate symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Loosen clothing so sweat can evaporate and so the body can better regulate its temperature. Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
Apply cool cloths, or take a cool bath or shower. If possible, take a cool shower or bath to help lower your temperature. If you or the affected person is far from a shower or bath, have the person lie down. Applying cool cloths or compresses directly to the head, neck, and face can help lower the body temperature.
Call a medical care provider. If you or the other person’s symptoms get worse, if there is vomiting, or if the symptoms last for more than an hour, seek immediate medical attention.
Left untreated, heat exhaustion can quickly escalate to heat stroke. If you notice any symptoms of heat exhaustion, or if someone’s heat exhaustion symptoms do not resolve after following the remedies above, medical attention is paramount. As we’ll look into next, heat stroke is a serious illness, a medical emergency that can result in death if not treated immediately.
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is the most dangerous heat-related illness. Heat stroke is an illness that occurs when your body is no longer able to regulate its temperature. If not treated quickly, the body’s temperature can soar, which can cause permanent brain damage and even death. It’s important to know that there are two different types of heat stroke, classic and exertional.
SYMPTOMS OF CLASSIC HEAT STROKE
Lack of sweating. This is the biggest distinction between classic and exertional heat stroke. If you stop sweating, heat stroke is imminent.
High fever
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Convulsions
Nausea and vomiting
SYMPTOMS OF EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE
Heavy sweating. It’s important to know that just because you’re still sweating, it doesn’t mean you’re not experiencing heat stroke. Exertional heat stroke, which usually occurs from a combination of heat exposure and heavy physical exertion, happens even while you continue to sweat.
High fever
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Convulsions
Nausea and vomiting
WHAT TO DO IF YOU OBSERVE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE IN YOURSELF OR OTHERS
Heat stroke is a dangerous health concern and a medical emergency. If you notice symptoms of either type of heat stroke, call 911 right away. If in the workplace, activate your company’s procedure for obtaining emergency medical treatment, and notify your supervisor. While you wait for medical care providers to arrive:
Move the person to a shaded, cooler place.
Remove or loosen as much of the affected person’s clothing as possible.
Provide cool drinking water.
Attempt to cool the person quickly with a cool water or ice bath. If a bath or shower is not available, apply cool cloths or compresses directly to the person’s head, neck, groin, ankles, underarms, and behind the knees.
Heat stroke is a sign that your body is unable to regulate your body temperature. If you notice any of the symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke in yourself or a fellow employee, stop work immediately, and seek a cooler space and notify your supervisor for medical attention.
If your employees are working in a warm environment, helping them understand information about what heat-related illnesses are and how they can be prevented is important. Safety Training course on Heat-Related Illness Awareness covers everything from basic precautions and symptoms of heat-related illnesses to the importance of appropriate PPE for hot work conditions. For more information about our courses contact our team online or request a free quote today!