A EGEA N HEAT STRESS AWARENESS Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 1 Training Program
Generation of Body Heat ➢ There are two main ways in which our bodies produce heat: Metabolic Heat - the body generates heat through the digestion of food, work and exercise. Environmental Heat - body absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, whether it is the hot sun or a hot room. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 2 Training Program
Preparing for T he Heat… • The average person takes about 5-7 days to adjust to hot weather. • On the first day of work in a hot environment the body temperature, pulse rate and general discomfort will be higher. • As the days go on, the body will become acclimated to the temperature. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 3 Training Program
Heat Related Health Problems… • Heat Cramps • Heat Exhaustion • Heatstroke • Fainting • Heat Rash Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 4 Training Program
Heat Cramps… • Heat Cramps are painful muscle spasms that result from the loss of salt and electrolytes due to excessive sweating. • The cramps will usually affect the stomach, the arms and legs. • This condition can be treated by drinking fluids containing electrolytes such as calcium, sodium and potassium. • This condition usually precedes heat exhaustion. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 5 Training Program
Heat Exhaustion… • Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy perspiration with normal or slightly above normal body temperatures • It is caused by water and/or salt depletion • Affects people that do not drink enough fluids while working or exercising in hot environments Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 6 Training Program
Heat Exhaustion… Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion • Severe thirst • Fatigue • Headache • Nausea • Vomiting • Sometimes Diarrhea • Uncontrolled Heat Exhaustion can evolve into Heatstroke Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 7 Training Program
Heat Exhaustion… How to treat Heat Exhaustion • Move the victim immediately out of the heat and to a cool place • Give cool liquids- cool water and/or sports drink • Raise the victims legs 8-12 inches • Remove excess clothing • Sponge victim’s body with cool water and fan • If no improvement within 30 minutes- call EMS Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 8 Training Program
Heat Stroke… • Heatstroke is the most serious of health problems associated with working in hot environments • Two types of Heatstroke exist :- • Classic Heatstroke- Also known as the “slow cooker” - may take days to develop • Often seen during summer heat waves and typically affects the elderly and sick. • Has a 50% death rate due to affecting the elderly • Results from a combination of a hot environment and dehydration • Sweating is absent Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 9 Training Program
Heat Stroke… • Exertional Heatstroke- also know as the “fast cooker” • More common in the summer and usually affects athletes and laborers • Rapid onset does not allow enough time for severe dehydration to occur • 50% of Exertional Heatstroke victims are sweating • Classic Heatstroke victims are not sweating Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 10 Training Program
Heat Stroke… • Signs and symptoms of Heatstroke • Victim’s body feels hot when touched • Possibly not sweating • Altered mental status- confusion/disorientation • Seizure and possible coma • Body temperature is usually 105 Deg. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 11 Training Program
Heat Stroke… • How to treat Heatstroke • Seek immediate medical attention-even if the victim seems to be re-covering • Move the victim immediately out of the heat • Remove clothing • Keep the victim’s head and shoulders slightly elevated • Cool the victim quickly by using cool water and ice packed around the neck, armpits, and groin Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 12 Training Program
Fainting… • A worker who is not accustomed to hot environments and who stands without moving in the heat may faint • With enlarged blood vessels in the skin and in the lower part of the body due to the body’s attempt to control internal temperature, blood may pool there rather than returning to the heart Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 13 Training Program
Fainting… • Upon lying down, the victim should soon recover • By moving around, and thereby preventing blood from pooling, the victim can prevent further fainting Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 14 Training Program
Heat Rash… • Heat rash, also known as prickly heat, is likely to occur in hot, humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation and the skin therefore stays wet most of the time • The sweat ducts become plugged, and a skin rash soon appears which in some cases causes severe pain. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 15 Training Program
Heat Rash… • When heat rash is extensive or when it is complicated by infection, it can be very uncomfortable • The worker can prevent this condition by resting in a cool place and by regularly bathing and completely drying the skin Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 16 Training Program
Other… • Do not give a victim salt tablets- they can irritate the stomach and cause nausea and vomiting Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 17 Training Program
Other… Drinking Water • In the course of a day’s work in the heat, the body may produce as much as 2-3 gallons of sweat • Because so many heat disorders involve excessive dehydration of the body, it is essential that water intake during the workday be about equal to the amount of sweat produced Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 18 Training Program
Other… Drinking Water cont… • Most workers exposed to hot conditions drink less fluids than needed because of an insufficient thirst drive • Therefore you do not rely on thirst as an indicator of dehydration because your body loses water faster than you realize. • You should drink about 5-7 ounces of fluids every 15-20 minutes to replenish the necessary fluids in the body Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 19 Training Program
Other… • Alcohol should be avoided because it is a diuretic, which increases dehydration and can interfere with heat loss. • People with heart problems or those on low sodium diets who work in hot environments should consult their physician about what to do under these conditions. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 20 Training Program
Other… • Proper Diet – Eat light and stay away from heavy foods. They increase metabolic heat production and also increase water loss. Eat smaller, well-balanced meals more often. • Rest Periods – Pace your work activities at a slower rate during high temperatures and take frequent rest periods in a shaded area and drink plenty of fluids.. Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 21 Training Program
Heat Index Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 22 Training Program
Thank you Aegean Oil Terminal Corporation 23 Training Program
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