HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS TRAINING PPT

The human body burns calories and generates heat to retain 98.6 Fahrenheit temperature.

Two effective ways the body rids itself of heat are: 

1. Sweating - Sweat evaporating from the skin cools the body.
2. The Dilation of human blood vessels – The human Blood is brought to the skin's surface to discharge the heat.

A. Warning Signs

Problems establish when the human body’s cooling mechanisms aren’t capable to work appropriately, for example, when:

1. Air temperature exceeds body temperature - the body cannot easily cool itself 
2. Air is humid - sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly 
3. Sweat doesn’t evaporate easily from a person who works/exercises hard while wrapped in heavy clothing or protective gear
4. Heat-related illness is a concern in any weather - anywhere! 

B. Heat Rash & Heat Cramps

Heat Rash

Occurs when sweat ducts get clogged

Heat Cramps

1. Painful muscle spasms caused by loss of electrolytes from heavy sweating
2. If workers develop these conditions, immediately get them out of the heat so they can rest.

C. Heat Syncope 

1. The victim becomes light-headed and faints when blood flow to the brain decreases. This is because blood pressure is lowered when blood vessels dilate to rid the body of heat. 
2. Blood pressure lowers further when blood volume drops as water is evaporated from the blood. 

D. Recognize - Evaluate - Act

What are the symptoms and to know how to perceive a victim of heat-related illness, analyze and evaluate the symptoms, and act!

Heat Cramps

1. Have the workman drinks water or an energy drink. Slightly stretch, make a gentle massage, and ice the muscle carefully. 
2. Search for medical assistance if the workman/employee has heart health issues or if cramps don’t come normally within a specific period (an hour). 

E. The Heat Syncope

1. Have the workman/employee lie and relaxed down in a cool and tidy area. 
2. Call for medical help.

F. Heat Exhaustion

1. Lay the worker down on his or her back in a cool area
2. Call for medical help 
3. Remove excessive layers of clothing 
4. Give a sports drink or water – don’t give anything to drink if the worker vomits 
5. Cool the worker with a cool water spray or wet cloths and a fan 

G. Heatstroke

1. Call for medical help immediately! 
2. While you wait for help to arrive, immediately cool the victim with any means at hand, preferably by immersing the victim up to the neck in cold water.

H. Alternatively:

1. Move the worker to a cool place and remove clothing down to the underwear, then apply ice packs at the neck, armpits, and groin.
2. Or, cover the worker with wet towels or cloths or spray him or her with cool water, and fan the worker to quickly evaporate the dampness on the skin. 

I. Catch it Early:

Awareness is vital! 

1. Both supervisors and workers should be on the lookout for warning signs of heat-related illness.
2. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

J. Preventive Measures

1. Take a light food/meal - The extra or additional calories you take in, the more body your body generates and produces the heat. 
2. Drink plenty of fluids before work and throughout the day & avoid caffeine 
3. Wear lightweight clothing
4. Wide-brimmed hats preserve and protect the workers from direct sunlight and harmful UV rays. 
5. Heat illnesses are the consequence of not recognizing the warning signs on the job. 
6. Hot conditions don’t have to be dangerous if you watch for the warning signs and get cooperation from workers to prevent heat-related illness.

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS TRAINING PPT 

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