Heat Stress Management

Objective  It is the policy of CSP to provide equipment necessary to prevent injury in the event of exposure to high ambient temperatures while wearing chemical protective equipment.  The required personal protective equipment must always be worn to prevent chemical exposure: 

Objectives CSP will supply: ◦ Chemical protective clothing that is light-weight and breathable providing comfort to the operator. ◦ Cooling vests that can be worn under the chemical protective clothing. These vests maintain comfortable temperatures of the upper part of the body for several hours. ◦ Water fountains within close distance of filling stations. ◦ Thirst quenchers in the form of powder that can be mixed with cold water to replenish electrolytes ◦ Cooling head wraps and neck cooling wraps 

Objectives  Operators must become familiarized with the symptoms and types of hazards that result from heat stress exposure.  Operators must review the list of preventive measures that can be used to avoid heat stress.

Symptoms  Plant personnel working in areas where there is a potential for heat stress may recognize it by looking for the following symptoms: ◦ Heat Rash: Mainly caused by sweat not being removed from the skin. The oils in sweat can cause pores to plug and results in a painful rash. The rash is aggravated by contact with heat.

Symptoms  Heat Cramps: Painful spams of muscles normally in the lower extremities. ◦ The spams are the result of dehydration. ◦ When a person sweats large amounts of fluid out of the body, the electrolytes necessary for muscle movement are also sweated out.  Heat Fainting (Syncope) is normally caused by workers not being accustomed to the hot environment, or maintaining the same posture for a long period of time. ◦ The condition is caused by a lack of sufficient blood flow to the brain. ◦ The temporary loss of consciousness is an indication that deeper heat related problems may result. ◦ Trauma may result when a person faints and hits the ground.

Symptoms  Heat Exhaustion is the most common of the serious heat illnesses. The main cause is an excessive loss of fluid from the body. The body tries to compensate and keep the core temperature regulated by sweating very heavily. Symptoms include:  Heavy sweating  Cool, clammy, pale skin  Weak, rapid pulse  Dizziness, weakness, fatigue  Uncoordinated actions  Nausea  Headache  Loss of consciousness

Symptoms  Heat Stroke is a very serious condition where the body is no longer able to regulate the internal temperature. It can be fatal if not treated in a timely fashion. Signs include:  Hot, dry and flushed skin  Confusion or unconsciousness  Seizures

Prevention  Heat Rash can be prevented by showering or washing out the sweaty residue and allowing the skin to breath and dry.  Heat Cramps can be prevented with fluid replacement. The fluids may be sports drinks with electrolytes already in them. Fruits such as oranges or bananas would also help with the electrolyte replacement. Also, gently stretching and massaging the affected muscles will help. Always drink plenty of fluids.

Prevention  Heat Fainting (Syncope) can be prevented by standing or sitting up slowly. Recognizing the light headed feeling that may come before an episode and lying down. Flexing the leg muscles before standing can also help to avoid fainting.  Heat Exhaustion can be treated by first removing the person from any chemical protective clothing and let the person cool down slowly. Replacement of fluids into the body is very important. Rapid treatment of the heat exhaustion is very important the prevent the progression into heat stroke.

Prevention  Heat Stroke must be treated rapidly. The affected person must have their airway protected if consciousness is lost. Get the victim into a cool place out of the chemical protective clothing and cool them slowly. Cooling the core of the body through the use of tepid water is very important. It could be dangerous to quickly cool someone with heat stroke symptoms. The victim needs to be transported to a hospital quickly for medical intervention.  In general, heat symptoms can be prevented through the appropriate combination of work/rest schedules.