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The
public best knows cases of heat stress when they are fatal. These
devastating stories are publicized and remind us to watch our exertion
in the hot sun and monitor our fluid intake. Heat stress, however, can
appear in several forms and from a number of conditions working indoors
as well. Overheating that isn't fatal is still dangerous, and even mild
cases can disrupt work and health.
Physical
exertion in a hot environment is the culprit for heat stress, but there
are a number of factors that can create a hot environment. Machinery,
tools, and appliances can raise the temperature in a work environment.
Wearing heavy or thick protective gear raises the body temperature.
Poorly ventilated areas and equipment also contribute to dangerous
working temperatures. What constitutes a "hot" working temperature
depends on the nature of the job. Highly physical labor with few breaks
may surpass safe temperatures at 78 degrees. Less physical labor with
many breaks may be safely performed in temperatures up to 90 degrees.
Food canneries, laundries, manufacturing plants, and restaurants are
all indoor work environments that the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health list as susceptible to extreme heat.
This is definitely not a risk that is exclusive to roofers and
construction workers laboring under the hot sun all day.
Additional
risk factors to heat stress come from individual health and
responsibility. Specific factors like age and heart conditions may
increase a person's susceptibility to overheating. In general, fluid
and calorie intake along with rest are vital components to a healthy
work environment. These precautions are not only the responsibility of
the employee, but also the employer who can either offer or force
sufficient breaks in work. Avoiding heat stress involves some very
simple guidelines in most cases, and ignoring them can cause the body
to shut down rather quickly.
There are
several forms of overheating, and the most destructive come with
warning signs. A mild case of heat stress comes in the form of a heat
rash. These uncomfortable red pustules are found in creases and body
spaces where sweat pools. They are easy to treat, but can be very
distracting as they're exacerbated by sweating. A more dangerous form
of heat stress is heat fatigue, or the body simply not cooling down
quickly enough. Symptoms may be headaches and tiring more quickly than
an activity should cause. It impairs work performance and can lead to a
more serious condition if left untreated. Heavy labor in a hot
environment can cause heat cramps, which are sharp pains in the
muscles. Heat cramps indicate immediate attention to fluid and
electrolyte levels and require monitoring of pulse and blood pressure.
If strenuous activity in a hot environment without enough fluid intake
leads to loss of sodium, the body may be unable to regulate body
temperature. This leads to heat exhaustion. Signs and symptoms include
heavy sweating, weakness, fast and shallow breathing, nausea, and
fainting amongst others. Immediate attention is required as heat
exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most dangerous
form of heat stress. This occurs when the body temperature reaches 104
degrees because it is unable to regulate temperature. Some symptoms
include slurred speech, hallucinations, convulsions, dry skin, confused
behavior, and loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency, as it
can lead to permanent disability or death.
The
milder forms of heat stress are still extremely dangerous, as the
symptoms cause fatigue and distraction. Anyone using sharp or heavy
tools or equipment when heat stress occurs can potentially cause major
accidents. No matter the degree, overheating on the job is as important
a concern as any other safety or ergonomic issue. The most dangerous
risks are those that are unknown or ignored. Indoor and outdoor working
conditions need equal attention to safety when it comes to temperature,
ventilation, breaks, and fluid intake.
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