Working in a hot environment can present a number of hazards that go beyond feeling uncomfortable. For workers who are outdoors in the summer or workers who are indoors in a hot workplace such as a manufacturing plant, or a laundry there can be a significant risk of heat-induced disorders.

The Training Network provides training videos that you can use to inform your employees about the dangers of heat stress on-the-job and what they can do to prevent heat related health ailments.

Ailments that come from working in overly hot workplaces include:

Heat Stroke -- When someone is suffering from heat stroke, their skin is hot, generally dry and red or spotted. The person's body temperature will usually hit dangerous levels -- up to 105 degrees or higher. The heat stroke victim will appear appear confused and disoriented. Heat stroke is a serious matter most often requiring hospitalization and proper treatment. Which is why the best remedy is prevention and effective training!

We all know that even if employees have been instructed to take preventative measures heat stroke and heat stress incidents can occur. It is essential that everyone in the workplace is informed and prepared.

If you find someone suffering from heat stroke:

• Don't delay, call 911 right away and provide first aid
• Move the heat stroke victim to a cool area
• Wet his or her clothing
• Fan the heatstroke victim's body to lower the body temperature

Heat Exhaustion -- When someone is suffering from heat exhaustion they may appear weak, disoriented or giddy. Advanced cases may result in vomiting and loss of consciousness. The heat exhaustion victim's skin will feel clammy but with only a slight elevation of normal body temperature. Make sure everyone in your workplace is trained to respond effectively when heat exhaustion occurs.

If you find someone suffering from heat exhaustion:

• Assist the person to a cool area to rest
• Get the heat exhaustion victim to drink liquids

Heat Cramps -- heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that happen from salt depletion in the body's muscles through sweating. Cramping pain can be alleviated by drinking liquids containing sodium such as sport drinks.

Fainting -- Fainting tends to affect workers who are not used to working in heat. Fainting also happens when workers are required to stand erect and immobile for long periods of time. Fainting victims should recover shortly after lying down. Upon recovery, keep the fainting worker moving around to prevent blood from pooling and decrease the chance of further fainting spells.

Heat Rash -- Workers can reduce the likelihood of heat rash, or prickly heat, by resting in a cool, dry place for a part of each day. Workers should also take care to clean and dry their skin frequently.

Transient Heat Fatigue -- Often seen in workers not used to working in hot environments. Transient Heat Fatigue can reduce alertness and coordination and thereby lead to accidents and injury. Transient Heat Fatigue can be avoided by slow acclimatization to higher temperatures.

Source: NIOSH

See also:

Heat Stress (HAZWOPER) #1381 -- Dealing with heat stress and heat stroke in contaminated areas.

Heat Stress For Construction #503 -- A common sense approach to keeping cool on the construction site.

You might also be interested in Basic First Aid Training -- view here

View All Heat Stress Safety Training Videos in the Catalog