Heat Stress

Heat stress can affect any human or animal at anytime during the summer months. No one is immune from it even if you are a tough guy. First we must make sure our four legged friends have plenty of water and are in a cool environment. In order to take care of our four legged friends we must take care of ourselves.

Instruct everyone who has the potential to be exposed to the heat and those responsible for the activities in a heat-related atmosphere on how to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of heat stress. Inform them how to administer proper first aid techniques to minimize discomfort and danger in the early stages of heat stress.

Establish procedures among employees so that they watch for developing heat stress signs and symptoms among themselves as well as their four legged friends.

During Heat Exposure – Control Exercise, Clothing and Exposure (especially when humidity is high)

Heat stress develops due to heat gained from the environment and that produced by work or exercise.

DO:

• If working or exercising OUTDOORS, wear loose fitting, light colored porous clothing which allows free air circulation over the body.
• If working or exercising INDOORS, wear appropriate clothing as to minimize heat retention in the body. Use fans to circulate the air quickly, open windows and doors to reduce humidity and to provide air circulation and room ventilation.
• Work or exercise in the early morning and evening hours in whatever shade is available. Work moderately over long periods, rather than intensely for short periods.
• Drink cool, electrolyte replacement fluids in moderate amounts frequently before, during and after the heat exposure.
• Check for heat related symptoms frequently, immediately discontinue exercise and get out of the heat if you feel dizzy, faint or nauseated, unreasonably irritable or panicky, sweat so heavily that it falls in drops rapidly from your face or body, or if you become aware of a rapid, pounding heartbeat.
• If you are working with a group, check those around you frequently for the early signs and symptoms of heat stress. Get anyone who complains of feeling hot, appears disoriented, has a flushed face covered with sweat, appears irritable or seems either to stagger or be physically unstable to a shaded, cool and well ventilated area.

HEAT STRESS

DO NOT:

• DO NOT exercise or work for more than brief periods either in direct sunlight or outdoors between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. unless necessary.
• DO NOT drink just plain water in large volumes before or after intense or prolonged bouts of exercise, or if you have been sweating heavily.
• DO NOT depend on salt tablets to replace the body electrolytes you have lost during sweating.
• DO NOT persist in exercising or being exposed to heat if you develop any of the early warning signs of heat stress.
• DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages or those with high sugar content during or immediately after heat stress.
• DO NOT drive or operate machinery if you have any of the signs and symptoms of heat stress.

After a Heat Exposure – Rest and Cool Down

• Remove or loosen clothing and either rest in a cool, well-ventilated area, or shower with tepid or cool (not cold) water.
• Drink SMALL amounts of electrolyte replacement fluids frequently during the next hour or so.
• Seek medical help if you feel dizzy, faint or nauseated after you have cooled down, or if you develop muscle cramps within 24 hours of being heat exposed.

Ben Day
Partner – Enduring Services, LLC
ben@enduringservices.com
972-741-3636