HEAT ILLNESS

Have you ever worked in outdoor substations in summer time? How about indoor electrical rooms with no air conditioning equipment in hot and humid summer? The situation would be worse when high humidity adds to high temperature in the work place. 

Common perception is that the body cools itself by sweating. This is true; however, it is only part of the fact. Your sweat needs to evaporate from your skin to make your body cool down. During hot weather, with high humidity, sweating isn't enough, since it doesn’t evaporate. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if you don't drink enough water and rest in the shade. You can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), in 2014 alone, 2,630 workers suffered from heat illness and 18 died from heat stroke and related causes on the job in the United States. 

OSHA recommends the following measures to mitigate the risk of heat illness in work place:

·        Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you are not thirsty.

·        Rest in the shade to cool down.

·        Wear a hat and light-colored clothing.

·        Learn the signs of heat illness and what to do in an emergency.

·        Keep an eye on fellow workers.

·        "Easy does it" on your first days of work in the heat. You need to get used to it.

 And here’s OSHA’s chart for symptoms and first aid measures to take if a worker shows signs of a heat-related illness:

Illness	Symptoms	First Aid*
Heat stroke	Confusion Fainting Seizures Excessive sweating or red, hot, dry skin Very high body temperature	Call 911 While waiting for help: Place worker in shady, cool area Loosen clothing, remove outer clothing Fan air on worker; cold packs in armpits Wet worker with cool water; apply ice packs, cool compresses, or ice if available Provide fluids (preferably water) as soon as possible Stay with worker until help arrives
Heat exhaustion	Cool, moist skin Heavy sweating Headache Nausea or vomiting Dizziness Light headedness Weakness Thirst Irritability Fast heart beat	Have worker sit or lie down in a cool, shady area Give worker plenty of water or other cool beverages to drink Cool worker with cold compresses/ice packs Take to clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation or treatment if signs or symptoms worsen or do not improve within 60 minutes. Do not return to work that day
Heat cramps	Muscle spasms Pain Usually in abdomen, arms, or legs	Have worker rest in shady, cool area Worker should drink water or other cool beverages Wait a few hours before allowing worker to return to strenuous work Have worker seek medical attention if cramps don't go away
Heat rash	Clusters of red bumps on skin Often appears on neck, upper chest, folds of skin	Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible Keep the affected area dry
* Remember, if you are not a medical professional, use this information as a guide only to help workers in need.

Refer to OSHA’s website for further information at the following link:

 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/heat_illnesses.html