11006130/0103 copyright © 2001 business & legal reports, inc. blr’s safety training...

11006130/0103 Copyright © 2001 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR’s Safety Training Presentations

Working in Hot Conditions


It’s Gonna Be a Hot One

Shimmering heat waves dance onthe pavement

Your clothing is soaked with sweat You feel dizzy, light-headed, and

sick to your stomach You’re thirsty, but you forgot your

water bottle at home If you’re not careful, you could be

a heat stroke victim


Goals

Heat-related Illnesses Prevention and Treatment Quiz


Body’s Cooling System

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


Heat Rash

Hot and humid environment—sweat not removed by evaporation

Red, bumpy rash that often itches

Uncomfortable, making sleep difficult Treatment and prevention:

Rest in a cool place Keep your skin dry and clean


Heat Syncope or Fainting

Worker not acclimated to the hot environment

Worker stands still in the heat

Blood pools in the legs, so less blood goes to the brain

Quick recovery after lying down in cool area Prevent by moving around rather than

standing still


Heat Cramps

Painful muscle cramps Caused by the loss of your body’s

salt when sweating Treated/prevented by drinking

electrolyte liquids Severe cases require intravenous

saline solutions


Heat Exhaustion

Loss of fluids and salt Worker feels weak, dizzy, or nauseous Skin clammy and moist, complexion

pale or flushed Treatment: rest in cool place, drink

electrolyte solution Severe cases: victims vomit or lose

consciousness


Heat Stroke

Worker stops sweating

Symptoms include hot and dry skin

Confusion, convulsions, or loss of consciousness

Keep victim cool and provide fluids

Death without immediate medical attention


Heat Promotes Accidents

Decreased strength, increased fatigue Reduced comprehension and ability

to retain information Safety procedures not followed Sweaty palms, fogged safety glasses


Goals



The Heat Equation

High Temperature

+ High Humidity

+ Physical Work

= Heat Illness


Environmental Heat Stress Factors

Temperature Humidity Radiant heat Air velocity


At Risk Occupations

Metal foundries, brick-firing plants, glass products facilities, manufacturers of rubber products, electrical utilities, bakeries, commercial kitchens, mining sites, steam tunnels, construction, laundries, food canneries, chemical plants, petro-chemical workers, fire fighters, and asbestos removal.


Our Sensitivity to Heat

Acclimatization Age Physical condition Overall health Metabolism Use of alcohol or drugs


Medical Surveillance

Periodic medical evaluation

Determine risk of developing heat-related illness

High-risk employees removed from hot working environments


Engineering Controls

General ventilation Spot cooling Shielding from radiant heat sources Substitute machinery for manual labor


Administrative Controls

Schedule heavy work for a cooler time of the year

Do some jobs in the evening or early morning

Enforce breaks with longer rest periods

Allow workers to become conditioned to the heat


Administrative Controls (cont.)

Reduce the physical demands of workers Use relief workers Limit the number of hours in the hot

work environment Pace the workers


PPE

Cool clothing Shade-providing hats Portable water

products Reflective clothing Circulating air

around the body


Water, Water, Water

Drink water Drink electrolyte-

balanced fluids One cup every

15-20 minutes Avoid caffeine

and alcohol


Worker Monitoring Programs

Workers with a high risk of heat illness should be monitored

Check the heart rate at the beginning of a rest period

Check the pulse 2.5 minutes after the break starts

Oral temperature at end of work day Body water loss


Investigate Heat-related Illness

Describe events leading up to the incident Work being done at the time of the incident Length of time employee was working

before incident Engineering and administrative controls Appropriate PPE Medical screening and monitoring by

other employees


Goals



Summary

Heat-related illness can kill Know the symptoms and first-aid response Understand at-risk jobs Reduce heat stress with engineering or

administrative controls Drink water, drink water, drink water


Quiz

1. Heat rash is caused by the sweat not evaporating from your skin. Name the best way to treat and prevent heat rash: ________________________________________

2. The primary cause of heat cramps is the loss of your body’s salt when sweating. True or False

3. Drinking alcohol after a hard day of work in hot conditions will replenish the body’s fluids. True or False

4. __cup(s) of water should be consumed every __ minutes.5. Besides temperature and humidity, name another

environmental factor that contributes to heat stress:_____________________________________________


Quiz (cont.)

6. Name one of the main symptoms of heat stroke: __________________________________________

7. It usually takes a worker about 4-8 hours to acclimatize to hot working conditions. True or False

8. A worker suffering from heat exhaustion will feel_______ and their skin will be_______.

9. Name engineering controls used by your company: __________________________________________

10. Describe first aid for a heat stroke victim:__________________________________________


Quiz Answers

1. Treat and prevent heat rash by keeping your skin cool and dry.

2. True.3. False. Drinking alcohol will actually add to

dehydration or the body’s loss of water.4. One cup of water should be consumed every 15-20

minutes.5. Radiant heat and air velocity are other environmental

factors that contribute to heat stress.


Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. A victim of heat stroke stops sweating and has hot and dry skin.

7. False. A worker usually requires 5-7 days to acclimatize to hot work conditions.

8. Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will feel dizzy, weak, or nauseated, and the skin will be pale or flushed and feel moist and clammy.

9. Engineering controls might include: ventilation, spot cooling, shielding.

10. Immediately call for medical care (i.e., 911), move the victim to a cool or shaded area, remove heavy clothing, cool by fanning, wet clothes/skin, place ice in armpits and groin area.

11006130/0103 copyright © 2001 business & legal reports, inc. blr’s safety training...

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