heat causes

8/2/2019 Heat Causes

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Outdoor Heat

ExposureWAC 296-62-095

June 2008

Your Department/Work Group


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WAC 296-62-095 Scope and Purpose

The requirements of WAC 296-62-095 through

296-62-09560 apply to outdoor work

environments

- from May 1 thru Sept 30, annually,

- only when employees are exposed to outdoor

heat at or above an applicable outdoor

temperature listed in Table 1.


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Table 1Temperature ActionLevels

To determine whichtemperature applies to each

worksite, select the temperatureassociated with the general typeof clothing or personalprotective equipment (PPE)each employee is required towear.

Note: There is no requirementto maintain temperaturerecords. The temperatures inTable 1 were developed basedon Washington State data and

are not applicable to otherstates.

All other clothing 89 degrees F

Double-layer wovenclothes including

coveralls, jackets and

sweatshirts

(Note: also regular raingear)

77 degrees F

Non-breathing clothes

including vapor barrier

clothing or PPE suchas chemical resistant

suits or chemical

cartridge respirator

52 degrees F


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2007 Washington State TemperatureStatistics

Days with High Temp at or Above 89 degrees F

City May June July August September City Totals

Bellingham 0 0 1 0 0 1

Moses Lake 1 4 23 11 1 40

Omak 1 4 25 13 3 46

Seattle 0 0 2 0 0 2

Spokane 0 1 14 4 0 19

Tri-Cities 2 8 27 17 4 58

Vancouver 1 1 3 5 2 12

Wenatchee 0 3 16 5 0 24

Yakima 2 4 23 11 1 41

Note: More days occurred affecting people wearing double layer (77 degrees F) ornon-breathable clothes (52 degrees F).


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WAC 296-62-095 Scope and Purpose

The requirements do not apply to incidental exposure.An incidental exposure is a work activity outdoors forless than 15 minutes in any 60 minute period. Thisexception may be applied every hour during the workshift.

Where the requirements under these sections provide

more specific or greater protection than the industry-specific standards, the employer shall comply with therequirements under these sections.


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Heat-related illness: Happens when the body is not able to

cool itself and the body overheats

Can cause injury, disability or death

Is preventable

NASA

Why is it important to know about and addressoutdoor heat exposure? Hot weather can cause mental and physical fatigue

Extra care is needed when working and driving Heat exposure can cause heat-related illness under certain conditions


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Where does heat illnesshappen?

Heat illness can affect anyone.

Heat illness can happen to workers duringlandscaping, gardening, transportation,

forestry, construction projects, field work,sporting events, on water craft, etc.


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Environmental factors that

contribute to the risk of heat-related illness


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Are you at risk of outdoor heatstress?

Environmental Factors

Workload Activities

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Risk Factors


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Direct sun, heat and

humidity More direct sun, the greater the

risk

Limited air movement Low or no wind


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Hot equipment Engines add more heat

Heat reflected fromground or objects

Watch out for reflectedheat


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Environmental factors

Physical exertionWhat kind of work are you doing?

How hard are you working?


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Workload ActivityCategories Example Activities

Resting Sitting quietly

Sitting with moderate arm movement

Light Sitting with moderate arm and legmovements

Standing with light work at machine orbench while using mostly arms

Using a table saw

Standing with light work at machine orbench and some walking about

Driving a tractor (at times can be moderate)


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Categories Example Activities

Moderate Scrubbing in a standing position

Walking about with moderate lifting or pushing

Walking on level at about 4 miles/hr whilecarrying 6-7 pound weight load

Heavy Carpenter sawing by hand

Going up and down ladders

Chopping weeds

Heavy assembly work on a non-continuous basis

Intermittent heavy lifting with pushing or pulling(e.g. pick-and-shovel work)

Very Heavy Shoveling wet sand

Bucking hay bales

Hand chopping hops vines


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PPE

Clothing and Personal ProtectiveEquipment (PPE)

Heavy clothing

Multiple layers

Dark colored clothing

Protective clothing

Vapor barrier clothing

Chemical resistant suits

Respiratory protection


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Personal factors that may makeyou more susceptible to

heat-related illness


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Personal risk factors

Dehydration

Failure to drink enough watercan make you dehydrated

Loss of electrolytesWhen you sweat you lose

electrolytes

Electrolytes are needed for your

body to function

Illness/fever


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Age, weight, and personal fitnessPast heat-related illness

Medical conditions

Heart conditions

Diabetes

Etc.

Certain medications

See next slide


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Some medications can make youmore sensitive to the effects of heat.

Allergy medicines (antihistamines)

Cough and cold medicines

Blood pressure and heart medicines Irritable bladder or bowel medicines Laxatives Mental health medicines Seizure medicines Thyroid pills Water pills (diuretics)

A health care provider or pharmacistcan tell you for sure.


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Diet

Sugar-added drinks Heavy foods

Alcohol

Hangover


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Im tough ~ I dont need a water break

Im not thirsty ~ I dont need to drink

Ill lose pay if I take a water break

Ill be letting my team down

Im new here ~ I need to prove myself

Dont fall for these beliefs we want youhealthy!



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Helpful tips for working in the heat -

Work Smart Have a Buddy System to keep an eye

on co-workers for symptoms of heatillness such as crankiness and denial

Increase breaks if:

Conditions are very hot; or

High exertion levels; or Protective clothing limits

evaporative cooling Alternate heavy work with light work

when possible

When possible, schedule the hardest

work for the cooler parts of the day


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Helpful tips for working in the heat -

Work Smart

Wear proper clothing Light colored

Light weight Natural fibers

Hat with a brim

Cooling vest may behelpful in some cases.

Work in the shade or out of directsun when possible

Avoid getting sunburned


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Remove PPE and excess clothing

during breaks

This is important to help you stay cool


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Water

It is important to drink small quantities ofwater throughout the day.

One quart or more over the course of anhour may be necessary when the work

environment is hot and you may besweating more than usual as you work.

Employers are responsible for encouragingwater consumption.

Employees are responsible for monitoringtheir own personal factors for heat-relatedillness including consumption of water orother acceptable beverages to ensure

hydration.


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Proper hydration is key

to preventing heat

illnessDO Drink plenty of water

Start work well hydrated

Consider sports drinks for electrolytereplacement when sweating a lot

AVOID

Drinking pop and other sugarydrinks

Drinking lots of coffee and tea

Drinking alcohol

Waiting for thirst before drinkingwater

D i ki


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Closeable & have tap Clearly marked Suitably cool (60

degrees Fahrenheit or

less) Individual cups

Other options:Bottled water

Hydration packs (camelbacks)Lightweight bags carried onthe back. Users sip waterthrough a tube.

Worker wearing hydration pack

Hydration pack

Drinking water

sources:


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Acclimatization

When people are not used tobeing in the heat they need toadjust (acclimate) to hotworking conditions over a fewdays.

In severe heat, gradually buildup exposure time especially ifwork is strenuous.

Eastern WA workersexperience more heat and arebetter acclimated.

Western WA workersexperience heat less often anddo not have the opportunity toacclimate.

Pay special attention to:New employeesPeople just back from being sick

Anyone absent for more than 2weeksPeople who have just movedfrom a cooler climateEveryone during heat waveevents


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Types of Heat IllnessesThere are five main kinds of heat illness:

1. Heat rash often under clothing

2. Heat cramps in arms or legs withphysical labor. Can be caused by the

loss of electrolytes from sweating.

3. Fainting can occur when person notused to heat

4. Heat exhaustion more serious effect

5. Heat stroke can be fatal


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Dehydration HeatExhaustion

HeatStroke

What are the most serious heat illnesses?

Untreated heat exhaustionmay progress toheat stroke.Symptoms of either should always be taken seriously

Note:Heat exhaustion or heat stroke may develop over a few days.

Heat exhaustion and Heat stroke


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Heat-related illness: Signs, symptoms,

and responseIllness Signs and

SymptomsResponse

Heat rash Red blister-likeeruptions/bumps

Itching (pricklysensation)

Rest in a cool place.Allow the skin to dry.

Monitor for infection.

Heat Cramps Painful spasms

Abnormal bodyposture

Grasping theaffected area

Rest in a cool place.

Drink water or a heavily dilutedsports beverage (such as

Gatorade).

Seek medical attention ifcramping is severe or does notgo away.


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Heat exhaustion: Signs and symptoms

Illness Signs and Symptoms

Heatexhaustion

Headaches,

Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting

Weakness,

Mood changes, irritability or confusionFeeling sick to your stomach and/orvomiting

Extreme sweating

Decreased and dark-colored urine

Pale clammy skin


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Heat stroke: Signs and symptoms

Illness Signs and Symptoms

Heat stroke Dry, pale skin,

Sweating may still be present

Nausea and vomiting

Hot, red skin (looks like sunburn)

Mood changes, irritability, confusion, and notmaking any sense

Seizures or fits

Collapse (will not respond)

High temperature (104 F or higher)


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Heat exhaustion: Response

Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Dont leave the

person alone. If the person is dizzy or light-headed, lay him onhis back and raise his legs about 6-8 inches. If the person issick to his stomach, lay him on his side.

Loosen and remove heavy clothing.

Have the person drink some cool water (a small cup every 15minutes) if he is not feeling sick to his stomach.

Try to cool the person by fanning him. Cool the skin with a

cool spray mist of water or wet cloth.

If the person does not feel better in a few minutes call foremergency help (UWPD at 911.)

If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance

to heat stroke.

H k


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Heat stroke:

ResponseA Medical Emergency

Call for emergency help (ambulance or 911)Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Dont leave the

person alone. Lay him on his back and if the person is havingseizures, remove objects close to him so he wont hit them. If

the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.Remove heavy and outer clothing.

Have the person drink small amounts of cool water if he isalert enough to drink anything and not feeling sick to his

stomach.Try to cool the person by fanning him or her. Cool the skinwith a cool spray mist of water, wet cloth, or wet sheet.

If ice is available, place ice packs in armpits and groin area.


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Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?

The telling difference is mental confusion/disorientation

in ALL heat stroke victims.

You can ask these 3 questions.

1. "What is your name?"2. "What day is this?"3. "Where are we?"

If a worker cant answer these questions,assume it is heat stroke.

How do you tell the difference??


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Important!

Stop all activity if you become: Lightheaded Confused Weak Faint Or have a pounding heart or trouble

breathing

Tell your supervisor if you or one of yourco-workers experience symptoms of heat-related illness.


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How emergency medical serviceswill be provided should they

become necessary:

Call 911

Remember to prevent heat illness:


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Remember to prevent heat illness:

Drink water frequently !!

Know the signs and symptoms of heat

related illnesses and take them seriously Consider sports drinks when sweating a lot

Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, andheavy meals before or during work

Work smart

Acclimate

Wear appropriate clothing

Take regular breaks

Keep an eye on your buddy!

Photo credit: www.csao.org


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