Summer Safety Awareness Campaign

Heat Stress

Heat Stress
Everyone is unique and we all have different tolerances level to
heat. This is a list of some contributing factors:
Degree of acclimatization and
metabolism
Medical conditions
Use of alcohol or drugs
Gender, Pregnant
Dehydration, poor physical
condition
Lack of sleep

Age, fitness level

Type of clothes worn
Weight under/over
Prior Heat Injury
Heart diseases, high blood
pressure, diabetes
Vitamin Supplements
Amount of caffeine intake
Energy drinks, pop, coffee

Heat Stress Heat Rash & Cramps

Symptoms:
Red rash and itching (prickly heat)
Hot, moist skin
Normal to slightly high body temperature

Causes:
Rash-Heat buildup in the skin due to clogged pores
and sweat ducts. Prolonged skin wetness from
sweating. Cramps. Loss of important electrolytes in
the blood and muscle tissues due to excessive
amounts of salts being lost in the victims sweat

Prevention:

Treatment:

Keep skin dry and clean sweat

Rash-Ointment, Cramps Replenish electrolytes

through drinking of fluids constituted for this purpose
such as Gator-Aide. Rest in a cool environment

Practice good hygiene

Loosen clothing
Drink lightly salted liquids (.1% saline)
Seek medical aid if cramps persist

Heat Stress Heat Exhaustion/Fatigue

Symptoms:
Heavy/profuse sweating
Intense thirst from dehydration
Fatigue, weakness or loss of coordination
Tingling in hands and feet or headache
Nausea, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, cold/wet
(clammy) grayish skin,

Causes:
Dehydration/ Not enough fluid replacement

First Aid Treatment:

Loosen or remove clothing and boots
Cool the victim as fast as possible give fluids if conscious
Call 911 if victim becomes faint or is unconscious

Seriousness:
Shock is a serious medical condition regardless of the cause of its
onset. Victims may require several days or even weeks to recover

Heat Stress Heat Stroke

Early Symptoms:

Advanced Symptoms:

High body temperature

Seizure or convulsions

Hot, red or flushed, dry skin

Loss of consciousness

Headache or dizziness

No detectable pulse

Confusion or delirium
Causes:

Call 911 at the first sign of any of

these symptoms!

The bodys temperature regulation mechanism, located

in the hypothalamus, fails and sweating stops. Core body
temperature rises dramatically and the victims condition
becomes a serious medical emergency
SERIOUS-MEDICAL EMERGENCY: Without outside
intervention, the victim will die. By the time the victim
realizes s/he is in trouble, it is usually too late to employ
effective self-intervention

Treatment:
Lower the victims body temperature as fast as
possible (ice packing, immersion, hosing down with
cooler water)
Dont give liquids to unconscious victims

Heat Stress Mitigation

Squincher Pops and freezer can be a great start. Set
up in Stockroom area as central and controlled
location.
Squincher or Gatorade drinks available in Stockroom
for those wishing to take a break from drinking water
or need to replenish electrolytes.
Water Stations
Have multiple locations. Should have enough for
plant wide
Heat Relief Bandanas
Phase change cooling vests for high heat exposure
activity

Heat Stress Response Kits

Each Kit Contains:
Break-n-shake ice packets
Designed for rapid response to heat stress
Microfiber towels
Ace bandage
1.
Includes basic items to lower body temperature
Thermometer
Picture with instructions for rapid cooling
2.
Quicker response with essentials located in one kit.

These kits will be located in each department throughout the facility.

Action Items

Purchase wet bulb (heat index) monitor

Setup flag system for entrance of plant (see next slide); monitor every 2 hours for

changes.

Poster made explaining flag system; flags to be posted throughout facility

Alert via radio communication for result in increase/decrease of

precautions

Utilize existing texting software to alert team members on following day/shifts forecast and what
heat index to expect.

Prepare cool down areas in plant for those who show heat exhaustion symptoms or to use
on breaks

Misting fans; chairs

Pickles; fruit provided by plant on days in red/orange buy fridge

Download OSHA Heat Safety Tool App for your phone

Heat Illness Table

Heat Illness Prevention Table
Heat Index

Risk Level

Protective Measures

80-90

Caution

stay hydrated; drink plenty of water; strenuous tasks must be rotated out every 20 minutes

91-103

Extreme Caution

stay hydrated; drink plenty of water; strenuous tasks must be rotated out every 20 minutes;
fruit and pickles will be available in cool down stations

104-124

Danger

Modify work schedule to three (3) 10 minute breaks and one (1) 20 minute lunch ;
fruit and pickles will be available in cool down stations

125-135

Extreme Danger

Modify work schedule to three (4) 10 minute breaks and one (1) 20 minute lunch; fruit and
pickles will be available in cool down stations; closely monitor team members for heat
stroke and heat exhaustion

Note: Any Protective clothing is worn, add 10 degress to heat index; If working outside, add 10 degrees to heat
index

Safety Tip!:
For every hour worked, it is recommended that you consume 8oz of water

Cool Down Areas

Each cool down station will consist of 5 chairs and 1 fan. There will be
3 cool down stations 1 press area; 1 exit of glaze line; 1 exit of kiln