HEAT STRESS 1293 Airport Road Beaver, WV Phone: (304) Fax: (304) Vincent J. Giblin, General President

This material was produced under grant number 46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program RECENT HEAT RELATED DEATHS  Korey Stringer –27 Yrs Old6’3”335 lbs  Eraste Autin –18 Yrs Old6’2”250 lbs  Preston Birdsong –18 Yrs Old5’11”190 lbs

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program COMMON FACTORS (Worker vs. Athlete)  Protective clothing  Focus on task at hand  Job security concerns  Desire to succeed  Desire to be accepted  Machismo  Peer pressure  Delayed thirst mechanism

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program U.S. HEAT STROKE STATS  At least 300 deaths/year  7421 deaths from  1700 deaths in 1980 alone  Causes more deaths annually than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined  18 high school and college football player deaths since 1995

PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO OVERHEATING English Translation: What happens when you get too dang hot

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program “TOO DANG HOT RESULTS”  Excessive sweat loss results in dehydration  The body loses its ability to cool  Increased blood flow to skin causes decrease in organ function

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES  HEAT CRAMPS  HEAT EXHAUSTION  HEAT STROKE

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HEAT CRAMPS  Caused by excessive loss of electrolytes  Early warning sign of heat stress  Painful cramps usually in legs or abdomen  Stop activity, hydrate, rest in cool place  Get medical attention if condition continues

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HEAT EXHAUSTION  The body’s response to excessive water and electrolyte loss  Stop activity and seek treatment immediately

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HEAT STROKE  The body’s cooling mechanism shuts down  50% that reach the heat stroke stage die even with medical attention

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program LIVE OR DIE? HEAT EXHAUSTION  Skin is pale  Excessive sweating  May faint but usually conscious  Headache  Nausea and vomiting  Blurred vision  Dizziness HEAT STROKE  Skin is red  No sweating  Unconscious or incoherent

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program TREATMENT HEAT EXHAUSTION  Call 911  Rest in cool place  Loosen and remove unnecessary clothing  Shower or sponge with cool water HEAT STROKE  Call 911  Immediate, aggressive, effective cooling  DO NOT give anything by mouth  Transport to hospital

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HUMAN RISK FACTORS  Poor nutrition  Poor physical condition  High and low % body fat  Previous heat illness  Lack of acclimatization  Over 40  Illness (diabetes, asthma)  Pregnancy  Diet plans

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS  Air temperature  Direct sunlight  Radiant heat  Humidity  Little air movement

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program JOB RISK FACTORS  Work intensity  Work duration  Location (roof, road, enclosure)  Clothing (weight, impermeability)  Respiratory protection

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program WORKER RESPONSIBILITY  Follow instructions of IH and health care professionals  Be watchful for symptoms (self and others)  Properly hydrate (before, during, after)  Get adequate rest  Avoid alcohol, unnecessary medication, and caffeine

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY  Ensure that environmental conditions are monitored  Adjust work practices as necessary  Be watchful for signs of overexposure  Know workers medical history  Assure workers are properly trained  Conduct pre and post job safety meetings  Assure that affected workers receive treatment

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program MONITORING  Environmental monitoring –WBGT (heat index= temp+humidity+radiant) used for guidance in establishing work/rest ratio  Personnel monitoring –Oral thermometer –Ear probe –R*&%$! Thermometer –Core Temp –Pulse rate –Blood pressure

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program COOLING WEAR  Traditional ice vests  Chem-pack vests, headbands, & bandanas  Active cooling garment (water circulating)  SAR and PAPR with active cooling systems  New material development (breathable, lighter weight, waterproof)

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program COLD STRESS Hypothermia

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Cold Stress (Hypothermia) Acute problem resulting from prolonged cold exposure and heat lossAcute problem resulting from prolonged cold exposure and heat loss “Hypo” (too little) “Thermia” (heat)“Hypo” (too little) “Thermia” (heat) 750 deaths/year in USA750 deaths/year in USA Generally doesn’t present the same level of danger as heat stressGenerally doesn’t present the same level of danger as heat stress –Does not occur as quickly –Workers will simply come in out of the cold

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program MAJOR CAUSES Cold TemperaturesCold Temperatures –41 degrees F is cold enough with other contributing factors Improper clothing and equipmentImproper clothing and equipment WetnessWetness –Sweating, contact with water –Water conducts heat away from the body 25 Xs faster than air

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Contributing Factors FatigueFatigue DehydrationDehydration HungerHunger Alcohol intakeAlcohol intake

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Cold Stress Hazards SYSTEMICSYSTEMIC –Hypothermia LOCALIZEDLOCALIZED –Frostnip –Frostbite –Trench Foot

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Signs and Symptoms HypothermiaHypothermia –Body temp <95 degrees F –Euphoria –Slow weak pulse –Slurred speech –Shivering –Unconsciousness

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Signs and Symptoms Frostnip/FrostbiteFrostnip/Frostbite –Itching/burning/numb –Skin color change WhiteWhite Grayish yellowGrayish yellow Reddish violetReddish violet BlackBlack Trench FootTrench Foot –Severe pain/itch/tingle –Swelling –Blisters

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program First Aid HypothermiaHypothermia –Move to warm area –Remove wet clothing –Modest external warming Blankets/heat packsBlankets/heat packs –Drink warm sweet fluids (non-caffeinated) –Transport to hospital Frostnip/FrostbiteFrostnip/Frostbite –Move to warm area –External warming Warm waterWarm water –Drink warm sweet fluids (non-caffeinated) –Treat as burn (do not rub) –Transport to hospital

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Body Response Mechanisms VasoconstrictionVasoconstriction –Blood vessel constriction –Reduces heat loss/makes skin better insulator ShiveringShivering –Increases body temp as vasoconstriction fails **NEITHER ARE AS EFFECTIVE AS SWEATING AND ACCLIMATION ARE FOR HEAT STRESS**NEITHER ARE AS EFFECTIVE AS SWEATING AND ACCLIMATION ARE FOR HEAT STRESS

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Behavior Is The Key! Behavior is the primary protection factor for cold stress preventionBehavior is the primary protection factor for cold stress prevention –Increase clothing insulation –Increase activity –Seek warm location –Get the H$!! out of there

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Cold Stress Solutions Engineering Controls- Warming shelters, spot heating (i.e. hand warmers), minimize air movement (shielding)Engineering Controls- Warming shelters, spot heating (i.e. hand warmers), minimize air movement (shielding) Work Practices- fluid replacement, change wet clothes immediately, buddy systemWork Practices- fluid replacement, change wet clothes immediately, buddy system Administration Controls-work/rest cycles, warm period work, allow for productivity reductionsAdministration Controls-work/rest cycles, warm period work, allow for productivity reductions PPEPPE

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Clothing Tips Dress in LayersDress in Layers –Add or remove for comfort –Allows free movement and dexterity Layer closest to skin should be “water vapor permeable”Layer closest to skin should be “water vapor permeable” –Wicks away moisture, allows evaporation, prevents accumulation

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program This material was produced under grant number 46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program END This publication was made possible by grant numbers 5 U45 ES AND 5 U45 ES from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS, NIH.