Heat illness Training

Agenda HEAT illness TRAINING Why Safety Matters What to Look For Tips on Prevention How to Treat Test Your Knowledge

Why safety Matters

HEAT #1 WEATHER- RELATED KILLER Why safety matters Make sure participants understand that heat can be just as dangerous as cuts or falls.

What TO LOOK FOR

Heat stress vs heat stroke What to look for Heat stress vs heat stroke Explain that this training will cover two types of heat illness – Heat Stress and Heat Stroke – including the differences between the two, how to tell them apart, and the different ways to treat each one. Heat stress Heat stroke

Heat stress What to look for Heat stress happens when your body can’t function normally because of excessive loss of body fluids and salts.

Main symptoms of heat stress What to look for Main symptoms of heat stress Heavy sweating Intense thirst Dizziness Loss of coordination Weak and rapid pulse Nausea/vomiting Ask participants if they can guess what each symptom icon represents. Then click to reveal the real answers to help reinforce the lesson.

Heat stroke What to look for Heat stoke is your body’s inability to regulate its core temperature. As your body loses water and salt supplies, its temperature rises to extreme levels. This can be life-threatening. Be sure to stress the seriousness of Heat Stroke in this section and reinforce that this condition is a life-threatening emergency.

Main symptoms of heat stroke What to look for Main symptoms of heat stroke Body temperature of 104° or higher Red, dry, very hot skin Dilated pupils Strong and rapid pulse Unconsciousness and possible convulsions Extreme disorientation Ask participants if they can guess what each symptom icon represents. Then click to reveal the real answers to help reinforce the lesson.

Causes of heat illness What to look for High temperatures Strenuous activity Dehydration Give participants tips to go with each cause: High temperatures -- Be aware of the day’s temperatures. On hot days, drink water and stand in the shade when taking breaks. Strenuous activity -- Do the most strenuous activity when the temperatures are at the lowest and save the lighter work for when the temperatures are high. Dehydration -- Stay hydrated! Stress to workers that drinking fluids at the time of heat exposure may not be enough. If they know they’ll be working in hot conditions, they should hydrate well ahead of time.

Test YOUR KNOWLEDGE

What are the 6 symptoms of heat stress? Test your knowledge What are the 6 symptoms of heat stress? Click on the numbers to reveal each answer. Guide participants through a game to see who can name the six symptoms of Heat Stress. 1. Heavy Sweating 2. Intense Thirst 3. Dizziness 4. Loss of Coordination 5. Nausea/Vomiting 6. Weak & Rapid Pulse You can do this informally, having everyone call out answers, or have them each write as many as they can remember on a piece of paper to see who can get the most. You can even make teams for more friendly competition and consider offering prizes. When all the answers are revealed, remind participants to monitor their physical condition and the condition of their coworkers.

What are the 6 symptoms of heat stroke? Test your knowledge What are the 6 symptoms of heat stroke? Click on the numbers to reveal each answer. Play the same game, but for the symptoms of Heat Stroke. Remind participants that Heat Stroke is a medical emergency and can result in death if not treated properly. 1. Body Temp of 104 Degrees 2. Red, Hot Skin 3. Dilated Pupils 4. Strong, Rapid Pulse 5. Extreme Disorientation 6.Unconsciousness/Possible Convulsions

TIPS ON prevention

Prevention tips Avoid heavy exertion, extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible. When you can’t avoid these things, be sure to take some preventative steps: Monitor each other Wear lightweight clothing Build up to heavy work Take breaks Rest in a cool area Drink fluids before and during heat exposure Go through each prevention tip: Keep an eye out for signs or symptoms of heat illnesses Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of the day Take more breaks when you’re doing heavier work and when you’re working in high heat and humidity Take breaks in the shade or in a cool area Drink water or sports drinks with electrolytes and monitor urine color. Stress to workers that drinking fluids at the time of heat exposure may not be enough. If they know they’ll be working in hot conditions, they should hydrate well ahead of time. Ask participants if they can think of any others specific to your environment.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty — hydrate throughout the day PREVENTION TIPS Pay attention to your urine! Pale yellow Honey yellow Cloudy/darker yellow Orange/yellow Normal hydration Rehydrate soon Body needs hydration Severely dehydrated Don’t wait until you’re thirsty — hydrate throughout the day Explain to participants that if you’re drinking enough water, your urine should be clear or light colored. If you’re dehydrated or becoming dehydrated, your urine will be darker.

Test YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Test your knowledge Ask participants to look at the picture to see if they can spot the four problems that might lead to heat illness. The next slide reveals the answers: Worker is drinking cola and not water Worker is wearing heavy clothing Worker is taking a break in the hot sun instead of in the shade Co-workers are not paying attention to point out the workers risk of heat illness

Exposed to sun while coworkers are under shade Test your knowledge Exposed to sun while coworkers are under shade Drinking cola Sweating in heavy clothing Talking points Take breaks in the shade Drink water or sports drinks with electrolytes Don’t wear layers if unless they’re necessary Look out for each other. Keep an eye out for symptoms of Heat Stress and Heat Stroke Not monitoring coworker

HEAT ILLNESS TREATMENT

Heat stress treatment 15 Min. Move to a shaded, cool area Lie down with feet elevated Apply wet cloths and fan vigorously Drink water or a watered- down electrolyte drink 15 Min. Get medical attention Avoid strenuous activity until cleared by a doctor Read through each treatment step and ask for questions.

Heat stroke treatment 2 3 4 5 6 1 Call an ambulance Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention Call an ambulance Move to a shaded, cool area until help arrives Lie down with feet elevated Loosen any tight clothes Sponge the body with cool water No drinking! Not even water Go through each treatment step and ask for questions. Be sure to emphasize that, unlike Heat Stress treatment, these steps are numbered because it’s important to perform the steps for Heat Stroke in order.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

POP QUIZ Test your knowledge When a worker is suffering from heat stress you should move them to a shaded area. Heat stroke is serious, but it’s not always a medical emergency. When a worker is suffering from heat stress you should give them water, lay them down and elevate their feet. When a worker is suffering from heat stroke you should first sponge them with water, then loosen tight clothes, and then call an ambulance. TRUE FALSE POP QUIZ Question 1: True When a worker is suffering from heat stress, move the worker to a shaded area and then continue treatment. Question 2: False Heat stroke is always a medical emergency. Question 3: True Question 4: False - The steps are correct, but order matters here. Review the order in the previous section.