HEAT and COLD STRESSHEAT and COLD STRESS

• Exposure to extreme heat or cold can make a person seriously ill and even cause death.

• The likelihood depends on factors such as wind, physical activity, clothing, humidity and age.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSHEAT RELATED ILLNESS

• Heat Cramps - The least severe, a first Heat Cramps - The least severe, a first signal that the body is having trouble with signal that the body is having trouble with heat. heat.

• Painful muscle spasms in the legs and Painful muscle spasms in the legs and abdomen. abdomen.

• Think of them as a warning of a possible Think of them as a warning of a possible heat-related illness. heat-related illness.

Care for Heat CrampsCare for Heat Cramps

• Rest in a cool place.Rest in a cool place.• Give them cool water Give them cool water

or a commercial sports or a commercial sports drink.drink.

• Usually rest and fluids Usually rest and fluids is all that is needed.is all that is needed.

• Lightly stretch and Lightly stretch and gently massage the gently massage the muscle.muscle.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSHEAT RELATED ILLNESS

• Heat Exhaustion - More severe than heat Heat Exhaustion - More severe than heat cramps. Usually effects people who have to cramps. Usually effects people who have to wear heavy clothing in hot and humid work wear heavy clothing in hot and humid work environments. environments.

• Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin.

• Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and Headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. exhaustion.

HEAT RELATED ILLNESSHEAT RELATED ILLNESS

• Heat Stroke- The least common but most Heat Stroke- The least common but most severe heat related illness. severe heat related illness.

• Usually occurs when people ignore the Usually occurs when people ignore the symptoms of heat exhaustion.symptoms of heat exhaustion.

• Body systems are overwhelmed by heat and Body systems are overwhelmed by heat and begin to stop functioning. begin to stop functioning.

• A serious medical emergency-life A serious medical emergency-life threatening. threatening.

Symptoms of Heat StrokeSymptoms of Heat Stroke

• Red, hot, dry skin. Red, hot, dry skin. • Changes in Changes in

consciousness.consciousness.• Rapid, weak pulse.Rapid, weak pulse.• Shallow breathing.Shallow breathing.

CARE FOR HEAT ILLNESSCARE FOR HEAT ILLNESS

• Get victim out of heat.Get victim out of heat.

• Loosen tight clothing.Loosen tight clothing.

• Remove perspiration soaked clothing.Remove perspiration soaked clothing.

• Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.

• Fan the victim.Fan the victim.

• If conscious, give cool water to drink. If conscious, give cool water to drink.

• Call an ambulance if they refuse water, vomits Call an ambulance if they refuse water, vomits or starts to lose consciousness.or starts to lose consciousness.

COLD RELATED ILLNESSCOLD RELATED ILLNESS

• Frostbite - the freezing Frostbite - the freezing of body parts exposed of body parts exposed to the cold. to the cold.

• Severity depends on Severity depends on temperature, length of temperature, length of exposure and wind. exposure and wind.

• Can cause loss of Can cause loss of fingers, toes, feet and fingers, toes, feet and legs. legs.

Symptoms of FrostbiteSymptoms of Frostbite

• Lack of feeling in the Lack of feeling in the affected area.affected area.

• Skin that appears Skin that appears waxy, cold to the waxy, cold to the touch, or is discolored.touch, or is discolored.

Care for FrostbiteCare for Frostbite

• Handle the area gently. Never rub the area. Handle the area gently. Never rub the area. It could cause tissue damage. It could cause tissue damage.

• Warm area gently by soaking in luke warm Warm area gently by soaking in luke warm water (no hotter than 105°F). water (no hotter than 105°F).

• Keep area in water until it turns red and Keep area in water until it turns red and feels warm.feels warm.

• Loosely bandage with sterile bandages.Loosely bandage with sterile bandages.

HypothermiaHypothermia

• The body cools because its ability to keep warm fails.

• The victim will die if not given care.

• Signals include: shivering, numbness, glassy stare, apathy and loss of consciousness.

Care for Hypothermia

• Remove any wet clothing and dry the body.Remove any wet clothing and dry the body.

• GraduallyGradually warm the body. warm the body.

• If conscious, give warm liquids to drink. If conscious, give warm liquids to drink.

• If unconscious, attend to any life If unconscious, attend to any life threatening problems. threatening problems.

• Call an ambulance. Call an ambulance.

WORKING AROUND HEAT & WORKING AROUND HEAT & COLD STRESSCOLD STRESS

• ClothingClothing

• Administrative ControlsAdministrative Controls

1. Breaks1. Breaks

2. Job Rotation2. Job Rotation

3. Shift Changes3. Shift Changes

• Food and FluidsFood and Fluids