Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Soaring temperatures this summer serve as a critical reminder of the dangers posed by extreme heat. It is important to be aware of occupational risk factors and how heat affects the human body, which could include environmental conditions such as high temperature and humidity, exposure to direct sunlight, and no breeze or wind. Other risk factors include heavy physical activity, not drinking enough water, lack of acclimatization which is when a worker is not given the opportunity for their body to gradually adapt and tolerate higher levels of heat stress, and wearing clothing that holds in body heat. Some workers are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Personal risk factors include medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure, age, being overweight and degree of physical fitness, previous episodes of heat-related illness, alcohol consumption, use of drugs, and certain medication. All of these affect a person’s sensitivity to heat.
Recognizing heat stress starts with understanding how your body copes with heat. The human body tries to maintain a constant internal temperature. When the internal temperature rises, the body attempts to get rid of excess heat by releasing sweat onto the skin surface and increasing blood flow to skin surface. When these two body cooling mechanisms work well, your core body temperature drops and can stabilize to a safe level. Problems develop when the body’s cooling mechanisms do not work properly.
Understanding the warning signs of heat exhaustion can help many workers avoid progressing to heat stroke. Warning signs may include heavy sweating, rapid pulse rate, dizziness, muscle cramps, and headache.
If you identify any of the warning signs of heat exhaustion, immediately take proactive steps to get yourself into a cooler environment and start to supplement with liquids to replace those that have left your body.
Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, a life-threatening condition. Fortunately, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses are preventable. Preventing heat-related illnesses requires employers and workers to recognize heat hazards. Heat-related illnesses can be prevented by:
Taking extra precautions to ensure new workers are acclimatized before they work in a hot environment.
Training supervisors and workers to control and recognize heat hazards.
Determining, for each worker throughout each workday, whether total heat stress is too high, both from the conditions of that day and recognizing carryover effect possibilities.
Implementing engineering and administrative controls to reduce heat stress.
Providing sufficient water, rest, and shade which is in fact, one of OSHA’s Annual Heat Illness Prevention Campaign (https://www.osha.gov/heat) guiding principles.
Staying hydrated by drinking lots of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages, even if you're not thirsty.
Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing that allows for ventilation and sweat evaporation. If available, utilizing water-cooled garments, air-cooled garments, cooling vests, evaporative cooling bandana, and wetted over-garments.
When working outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect against direct sunlight.
Being on the lookout for warning signs and symptoms in yourself and co-workers.
OSHA has a proposed standard called Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work. This proposed standard (https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking) was sent out for discussion to the general public 7/2/24. OSHA is allowing the public to submit feedback in response to the proposal 120 days after its official publication. This proposed standard could be approved fairly quickly, but it is a process. ACS will be updating its clients as this process moves forward.
ACS has developed a new training program that goes into detail of reducing heat-related health issues. You can contact ACS (clientservices@acs-safety.com) to schedule training for your company.