Heat Stress ProgramHeat Stress Program

LG #2

A. Physiology of Heat StressA. Physiology of Heat Stress

Physiology of Heat StressPhysiology of Heat Stress

• The effect of factors on the body as it The effect of factors on the body as it tries to regulate body temperaturetries to regulate body temperature– The body generates heat; is sensitive to The body generates heat; is sensitive to

external heat factorsexternal heat factors– The body tries to regulate internal The body tries to regulate internal

temperatures naturallytemperatures naturally– Failure of natural cooling ability causes heat Failure of natural cooling ability causes heat

stressstress

Types of Heat Affecting the Types of Heat Affecting the BodyBody

• Air temperatureAir temperature

• Thermal radiationThermal radiation

• HumidityHumidity

• Air flow (ventilation)Air flow (ventilation)

Symptoms of Heat StressSymptoms of Heat Stress

• FatigueFatigue

• Severe headachesSevere headaches

• NauseaNausea

• Decreased performance Decreased performance – PhysicalPhysical– MentalMental

Causes of Heat StressCauses of Heat Stress• Wearing protective clothingWearing protective clothing

– Chemical SuitsChemical Suits– Fire Fighting EnsemblesFire Fighting Ensembles– Proximity SuitsProximity Suits

• High humidity + Heavy exerciseHigh humidity + Heavy exercise• IllnessIllness• IntoxicationIntoxication• Poor physical conditionPoor physical condition

B. Navy Heat Stress Control B. Navy Heat Stress Control ProgramProgram

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

• CNOCNO– Set Policy in OPNAVINST 5100.19 (series)Set Policy in OPNAVINST 5100.19 (series)

• NAVSEA & TYCOM’sNAVSEA & TYCOM’s– Design better ventilationDesign better ventilation– Provide funds for engineering controlsProvide funds for engineering controls– Assist in repairsAssist in repairs

• INSURV & OPPEINSURV & OPPE– Inspect the Heat Stress Program for complianceInspect the Heat Stress Program for compliance

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities• Commanding OfficerCommanding Officer

– Establishes and enforces Heat Stress ProgramEstablishes and enforces Heat Stress Program– Ensures Heat Stress Deficiencies correctedEnsures Heat Stress Deficiencies corrected– Requests assistance to identify problemsRequests assistance to identify problems– Reports injuries & conducts investigationsReports injuries & conducts investigations

• Engineering Officer, Supply Officer, and Engineering Officer, Supply Officer, and MDRMDR– Have specific duties according to OPNAVINST Have specific duties according to OPNAVINST

5100.19 (series)5100.19 (series)

C. Heat Stress Program C. Heat Stress Program ParametersParameters

Heat Stress Program Heat Stress Program ParametersParameters

• Identify problem areasIdentify problem areas– Determine potential heat stress areasDetermine potential heat stress areas– Include weather and flight deck areasInclude weather and flight deck areas

• Eliminate problems if possibleEliminate problems if possible– Engineering controlsEngineering controls– Use available SHIPALT fundingUse available SHIPALT funding

Heat Stress Program Heat Stress Program ParametersParameters

• Monitor heat stress areasMonitor heat stress areas– Hang dry bulb thermometersHang dry bulb thermometers– Record temperaturesRecord temperatures– Take hourly readings as necessaryTake hourly readings as necessary

Heat Stress Program Heat Stress Program ParametersParameters

• Conduct WBGT heat stress meter surveysConduct WBGT heat stress meter surveys– Contact Engineering Dept. or MDR for Contact Engineering Dept. or MDR for

readingsreadings

– Ensure all steam ships have 2 metersEnsure all steam ships have 2 meters

– Only qualified monitors take readingsOnly qualified monitors take readings

– Use with Physiological Heat Exposure Limit Use with Physiological Heat Exposure Limit (PHEL) chart for stay-times(PHEL) chart for stay-times

– Consult OPNAVINST 5100.19 (series) for Consult OPNAVINST 5100.19 (series) for guidanceguidance

D. Personnel Working in Heat D. Personnel Working in Heat Stress AreasStress Areas

Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion

• SymptomsSymptoms– Profuse sweatingProfuse sweating– Pale and clammy skinPale and clammy skin– Pulse fast and weakPulse fast and weak– Breathing fast and shallowBreathing fast and shallow– DizzinessDizziness– NauseaNausea

Heat ExhaustionHeat Exhaustion

• First AidFirst Aid– If unconscious, Call a Medical EmergencyIf unconscious, Call a Medical Emergency– Loosen clothingLoosen clothing– Move victim to cooler spaceMove victim to cooler space– If faint, lower head to kneesIf faint, lower head to knees– Give sips of water if consciousGive sips of water if conscious– Take to MedicalTake to Medical

Heat StrokeHeat Stroke

• SymptomsSymptoms– Skin--Hot, Flushed, DrySkin--Hot, Flushed, Dry– Pulse fast and strongPulse fast and strong– Breathing deepBreathing deep– Vomiting, Cramps, TwitchingVomiting, Cramps, Twitching– Will go into shockWill go into shock

• Can Be FATAL!Can Be FATAL!

Heat StrokeHeat Stroke

• First AidFirst Aid– CALL A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!CALL A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!– Move victim to cool spaceMove victim to cool space– Remove clothingRemove clothing– Cover with cold, wet materialCover with cold, wet material– Gently massage arms and legsGently massage arms and legs– Lower body temperature to 101Lower body temperature to 101o o FF

Heat Stress PreventionHeat Stress Prevention

• Contact supervisor for temps > 100Contact supervisor for temps > 100o o FF

• Keep an eye on shipmates & watch for Keep an eye on shipmates & watch for symptomssymptoms

• Know your own limitationsKnow your own limitations

• Eat wellEat well

• Drink water frequentlyDrink water frequently

Heat Stress PreventionHeat Stress Prevention

• Get plenty of restGet plenty of rest

• Allow body to acclimate to heatAllow body to acclimate to heat

• Stay away from coffee, sodas, Gatorade, and Stay away from coffee, sodas, Gatorade, and salt tabletssalt tablets

• Take required recovery time when leaving Take required recovery time when leaving heat stress areaheat stress area

• Report heat stress problems (missing Report heat stress problems (missing lagging, steam leaks, poor ventilation, etc.)lagging, steam leaks, poor ventilation, etc.)