Transcript HEAT STRESS
HEAT STRESS Vincent J. Giblin, General President 1293 Airport Road Phone: (304) 253-8674 Beaver, WV 25813 Fax: (304) 253-7758 E-mail: [email protected] 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. RECENT HEAT RELATED DEATHS Korey Stringer – 27 Yrs Old 6’3” 335 lbs Eraste Autin – 18 Yrs Old 7-25-01 6’2” 250 lbs Preston Birdsong – 18 Yrs Old 7-31-01 8-13-00 5’11” 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 1979-1998 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 Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO OVERHEATING English Translation: What happens when you get too dang hot “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 HEAT STROKE Call 911 Call 911 Rest in cool place Loosen and remove unnecessary clothing Immediate, aggressive, effective cooling Shower or sponge with cool water DO NOT give anything by mouth Transport to hospital Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program HUMAN RISK FACTORS Poor nutrition Lack of acclimatization Poor physical Over 40 condition Illness (diabetes, asthma) High and low % body Pregnancy fat Diet plans Previous heat illness 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 Know workers medical history Assure workers are monitored Adjust work practices as necessary Be watchful for signs of overexposure 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 loss • “Hypo” (too little) “Thermia” (heat) • 750 deaths/year in USA • Generally 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 Temperatures – 41 degrees F is cold enough with other contributing factors • Improper clothing and equipment • Wetness – Sweating, contact with water – Water conducts heat away from the body 25 Xs faster than air Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Contributing Factors • Fatigue • Dehydration • Hunger • Alcohol intake Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Cold Stress Hazards • SYSTEMIC • LOCALIZED – Hypothermia – Frostnip – Frostbite – Trench Foot Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Signs and Symptoms • Hypothermia – Body temp <95 degrees F – Euphoria – Slow weak pulse – Slurred speech – Shivering – Unconsciousness Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Signs and Symptoms • Frostnip/Frostbite – Itching/burning/numb – Skin color change • • • • White Grayish yellow Reddish violet Black • Trench Foot – Severe pain/itch/tingle – Swelling – Blisters Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program First Aid • Hypothermia – Move to warm area – Remove wet clothing – Modest external warming • Blankets/heat packs – Drink warm sweet fluids (non-caffeinated) – Transport to hospital • Frostnip/Frostbite – Move to warm area – External warming • Warm water – Drink warm sweet fluids (non-caffeinated) – Treat as burn (do not rub) – Transport to hospital Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Body Response Mechanisms • Vasoconstriction – Blood vessel constriction – Reduces heat loss/makes skin better insulator • Shivering – Increases body temp as vasoconstriction fails • **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 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) • Work Practices- fluid replacement, change wet clothes immediately, buddy system • Administration Controls-work/rest cycles, warm period work, allow for productivity reductions • PPE Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program Clothing Tips • Dress in Layers – Add or remove for comfort – Allows free movement and dexterity • 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 ES06182-13 AND 5 U45 ES09763-13 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. Operating Engineers National Hazmat Program