Heat stress toolbox talk covers the disease or illness due to exposure to heat or working In a hot environment such, as headache, dizziness, fatigue, prickly heat (heat rash), muscle cramps, breathlessness, strong rapid pulse change to weak rapid pulse, confusion, exhaustion, coma, etc. As a result of environmental conditions, high metabolic heat production, and possibly other factors, a person may be unable to maintain their body's heat balance. This can result in one or more of the following diseases.
The purpose of the heat stress toolbox talk
Working in the heat and doing strenuous physical activities can affect the body's cooling system. If your body can't cool itself, you may experience heat stress. If stress is not treated in time, it can cause hyperthermia, which can cause death.
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Heat Exposure applies to the environment at outdoor activities from June 15 through September 15. When employees are exposed to outdoor heat at or above temperatures described in the heat stress index according to OSHA WBGT must be followed.
Heat cramps
Although not life-threatening. Heat cramps can be painful.
They occur when the body's salt levels drop below normal (due to heat
exhaustion), usually after you've been sweating heavily for a long time and
have replaced lost water but not lost salt.
This imbalance can give rise to what is popularly known as
"cramps", which are medically defined as "spasmodic and
involuntary painful and short-lasting contraction of certain muscles,
especially those of the calf; normally it is a consequence of excessive
muscular efforts “.
The victim usually stays alert and well-oriented, with a
normal pulse and blood pressure. There may be evidence of heavy sweating,
although the sweat loss may have occurred many hours earlier.
Immediate treatment:
Loosen the victim's clothing and allow the victim to rest. Administer an
electrolyte solution. The best preventive measure is to salt foods more than
usual during high-risk periods that is when exposure to heat and sweat is
higher than usual.
Electrolyte solutions are usually available in cans or
bottles. Salt tablets are no longer recommended as they were years ago because
an adequate amount of salt can be supplied by salting foods more than usual,
and because the excessive use of salt tablets can cause problems that are as
serious as having too little salt.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is also known by other names such as heat
collapse or heat prostration. Heat exhaustion brings with cardiac function
resulting from the failure of the circulatory system to compensate for
increased blood flow and dehydration caused by excessive sweating. Symptoms can
range from mild dizziness, fatigue, and headache, to complete collapse with
loss of consciousness.
Immediate treatment:
Move the individual to a cooler environment and place him in a horizontal
position. If the victim is awake and able to swallow, a glass of electrolyte
solution may be given. If the condition
persists, get medical help.
Heat Stroke
This is a most serious heat-related illness. The cause of heat stroke is not yet well
understood, although it is generally attributed to an impaired sweating
mechanism (sweating mechanism fail). People who suffer from heat stroke often
collapse without having experienced any warning symptoms.
The salient features of heat stroke are a lack of sweating
and a significant rise in body temperature, usually as high as 41 degrees
Celsius or more. The skin will become hot and dry and the victim may be
disoriented, and confused. This is an emergency that threatens life. It is necessary to apply the treatment
immediately.
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Symptoms: confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, loss of consciousness (coma), hot dry skin, seizures, and very high body temperatures.
Immediate treatment:
Transport the victim immediately to a medical facility. During transportation,
clothing should be removed and air conditioning used, if possible. Splash water
on the victim and allow it to evaporate through air conditioning or the air
coming in through windows.
The seriousness of the situation must be accurately assessed
if the victim suffering from heat stroke is in a place far from towns, such as
in a mountain or a forest. In this case, the victim must be transferred to a
medical center as soon as possible. If water is available, submerge and
massage.
If the victim is shivering or shivering, they should be
removed from the water until they subside and then submerged again. Discontinue
dives when the victim's skin temperature equals yours. Use the back of your
hand to check this temperature.
When means of transport are available, priority must be
given to this rather than the aforementioned cooling measures. If the victim is
conscious, let him drink some water. Do not give stimulants.
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Rhabdomyolysis: This is a medical condition associated with heat stress and prolonged physical exertion, resulting in the rapid breakdown, rupture, and death of muscles. When muscle tissue dies electrolytes and large proteins are released into the bloodstream which can cause irregular heart rhythms and stress and also damage the kidney.
Symptoms: Muscles
cramps/pain, asymptomatic, weakness, tea-colored urine,
First aid: call
medical care, and someone stays with the worker until medical arrived.
Heat syncope: this is a fainting (syncope) or dizziness that
usually occurs with prolonged standing or sudden rising from a sitting or lying
position due to dehydration or lack of acclimatization.
For more health and safety-related topics, visit: Safety Zone
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Control measures
When the control of the work environment is not practical
and the situation involves high temperatures, it is necessary to consider the
relationship between the worker and the environment to find a way to prevent
damage to their health or deterioration in their efficiency.
Exclude people with systemic illnesses from unusual heat
exposures. Allow workers to acclimatize. The mechanisms responsible for
acclimatization are not well understood, but people who are continually exposed
to heat become acclimatized and tolerate it better.
Here are some suggestions to reduce the number and severity
of heat exposures and illnesses that may result:
- Drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
- Increase salt intake to maintain adequate salt levels in the blood. The increase in salt also helps you drink more water.
- Wear light and light clothing to protect the body from radiant heat.
- Decrease body heat production by limiting work by maintaining rest periods or by any other means.
- Schedule work to benefit from climatic and other environmental conditions.
