Write a toolbox talk on Hydration

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CPWR TOOLBOX RESEARCH AND TRAINING THE CENTER FOR CONSTRUCTION TALK Hot Environments Exposure to extreme heat can result in illness and injury. Working in a hot environment can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rash. In addition, heat increases the risk of injury for workers because of sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness. Burns also can occur when a worker comes in contact with a hot surface or steam. ## Ben's Story Ben had been outside for several hours in extremely hot temperatures laying brick. He began to feel nauseated, his head ached, and he was sweating heavily. His supervisor noticed Ben was working much slower than usual and asked him how he felt. When he heard the symptoms, he called 911, took Ben to the shade, gave him a cool drink, and wetted him with cool water and ice. - Have you or someone you know ever experienced a heat-related illness on the job? If so, what happened? - What can you do to help avoid heat-related illnesses? ## Remember This ➤ Your employers should train you on heat hazards and their plan to prevent heat-related illnesses. - Take frequent breaks in the shade or in air conditioning. - Drink plenty of water - stay hydrated. During moderate work in the heat for less than 2 hours, you should drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15–20 minutes. If you will be sweating for several hours, you will need sports drinks. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar. ## Recognize the signs of heat illnesses in yourself and your co-workers: - Signs of heat stroke include - confusion ○ hot, dry skin or profuse sweating - slurred speech ○ unconsciousness - seizures ° high body temperature - Signs of heat exhaustion include - headache - nausea - dizziness ○ thirst 。 heavy sweating - weakness - o high body temperature ○ irritability ○ low urine output If a co-worker has signs of heat exhaustion: Call 911. Get the worker to shade and cool them down by removing clo…

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# Heat Stress (cont.) ## Monitoring (cont.) 8" DEPARTMENT of LABOR US VIRGIN ISLANDS VIDOSH 70% -100° 60% 95 50% 90 40% 85" 30% 80 Lidity mpora # Heat Stress ## Prevention Proper training and preventive measures will help avert serious illness and loss of work productivity. Preventing heat stress is particularly important because once someone suffers from heat stroke or heat exhaustion, that person may be predisposed to additional heat injuries. To avoid heat stress, management should take the following steps: - Adjust work schedules: • Modify work/rest schedules according to monitoring requirements. • Mandate work slowdowns as needed. • Rotate personnel: alternate job functions to minimize overstress or overexertion at one task. • Add additional personnel to work teams. • Perform work during cooler hours of the day if possible or at night if adequate lighting can be provided. • Provide shelter (air-conditioned, if possible) or shaded areas to protect personnel during rest periods. - Maintain workers' body fluids at normal levels. This is necessary to ensure that the cardiovascular system functions adequately. Daily fluid intake must approximately equal the amount of water lost in sweat, i.e., 8 fluid ounces (0.23 liters) of water must be ingested for approximately every 8 ounces (0.23 kg) of weight lost. The normal thirst mechanism is not sensitive enough to ensure that enough water will be drunk to replace lost sweat. When heavy sweating occurs, encourage the worker to drink more. The following strategies may be useful: - Maintain water temperature at 50° to 60°F (10° to 15.6°C). • - Provide small disposable cups that hold about 4 ounces (0.1 liter). • Have workers drink 16 ounces (0.5 liters) of fluid (preferably water or dilute drinks) before beginning work. . Urge workers to drink a cup or two every 15 to 20 minutes, or at each monitoring break. A total of 1 to 1.6 gallons (4 to 6 liters) of fluid per day are recommended, but mor…

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# HEAT-RELATED HAZARDS & CONTROLS Date Posted: 02/17/2024 Workers exposed to extreme heat or working in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. For example, heat stress can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of traumatic injuries as it may result in poor grip, fogged-up safety glasses, and problems with balance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high temperatures can be dangerous to people at work and can lead to injuries, illnesses, and even death. Exposure to environmental heat led to 37 work-related deaths and 2,830 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work in 2020. Thirty-three of the 37 fatal work injuries caused by exposure to environmental heat occurred in the summer months of June through September. On June 27, 2023, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) adopted updates to Outdoor Heat Exposure rules to prevent heat- related illness and reduce traumatic injuries associated with heat exposure. The adopted rules include requirements for shade, rest, and acclimatization and lowers the temperatures at which some preventive actions must be taken. ## WASHINGTON STATE ACTION LEVELS Clothing/PPE Worn Action Level Temperature Nonbreathing clothing, including vapor-barrier clothing or chemical-resistant suits 52° All other clothing 80° ## THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCLIMATIZATION Workers are at higher risk of heat-related illness if they are not acclimatized or used to the heat. Acclimatization typically takes 7-14 days to develop and can be lost after seven days away from working in the heat. A sudden increase in temperature does not allow time for workers to acclimate. Acclimatization is a process by which the physical processes of a worker's body adjust to the environment over some time. Based on data obtained from…

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# SUMMER SAFETY Date Posted: 08/17/2016 With warmer weather and longer work days for construction workers, it is important to be informed about simple measures that can provide for a safe and healthy workforce. • Taking breaks in the shade or cool area will help from heat stress and heat stroke. - Drink liquids that will hydrate you. Soda pop and coffee beverages can contribute to dehydration. Choose water, iced tea, lemonade and hydration drinks such as Gatorade. • Be aware of additional traffic and people. Allow for slower traffic and delayed arrival times at your destination. Schools are out for summer and there will be more vehicles occupying the roads. ## SUMMER MONTHS BRING HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS • The Fourth of July often brings fireworks and extra debris. • Ensure that you have fire extinguishers in handy areas to respond to fire and insure that the work site is free of debris. • Camping is in full swing during the summer months. Insure that you watch out for increased pedestrian traffic. ## QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: • Why is it important for me to increase my fluid intake during the summer? • Traffic is increased due to additional visitors arriving in our region. What impact does this have on my job and safety? ## PRESENTER TIPS • Pre-read the Tool Box Talk. Your comfort level and confidence will be higher if you know your topic. - Discuss related tasks, work areas or events that make the Tool Box Talk relevant to your jobsite. • Involve the workers by asking questions and input that drives discussion. Funding and support for this project has been provided by the State of Washington, Department of Labor & Industries.

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# SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS <table><tr><th>Heat-Related Illness</th><th>Symptoms and Signs</th></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Confusion</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Slurred speech</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Unconsciousness</td></tr><tr><td>Heat stroke</td><td>• Seizures</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Heavy sweating or hot, dry skin</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Very high body temperature</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Rapid heart rate</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Fatigue</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Irritability</td></tr><tr><td></td><td> Thirst</td></tr><tr><td>Heat exhaustion</td><td>• Nausea or vomiting</td></tr><tr><td></td><td> Dizziness or lightheadedness</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Heavy sweating</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Elevated body temperature or fast heart rate</td></tr><tr><td></td><td> Muscle spasms or pain</td></tr><tr><td>Heat cramps</td><td>• Usually in legs, arms, or trunk</td></tr><tr><td></td><td> Fainting</td></tr><tr><td>Heat syncope</td><td> Dizziness</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Clusters of red bumps on the skin</td></tr><tr><td>Heat rash</td><td> Often appears on the neck, upper chest, and skin folds</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>• Muscle pain</td></tr><tr><td>Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)</td><td>• Dark urine or reduced urine output • Weakness</td></tr></table> ## HEAT STRESS CONTROLS Engineering Controls - The best way to prevent heat-related illness for indoor workers is to make the work environment cooler. Wherever possible, use air conditioning to cool the work area. Alternatively, increase the general ventilation as much as possible by opening windows or doors. When available, use cooling fans to aid in increasing ventilation. Safe Work Practices - Employees working outdoors or indoors without air conditioning or ventilation take scheduled breaks in cool and shaded areas. Ensure plenty of cool water to drink, and take water breaks as needed. Immediately report any problems to a supervisor. Supervisors should consider scheduling the …

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# HEAT EXHAUSTION Last Review: 08/01/2025 Date Posted: 09/09/2016 Working in the heat and doing heavy physical work can affect the body's cooling system. If your body is unable to cool itself, you can experience heat stress. If heat stress is not treated, it can develop into heat stroke, which can result in death. Heat Exposure applies to outdoor work environments from May 1 through September 30, when employees are exposed to outdoor heat at or above an applicable temperature listed in Table 1. WAC 296-62-[redacted postal code]. Remember, heat exposure can happen anytime of the year, as well as indoors. ## SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS • Shallow breathing • Increased breathing rate • Weak, rapid pulse • Cool, pale, clammy skin • Sweating • Weakness, fatigue, dizziness • Headache and nausea - Fainting • Muscle cramps ## TREATMENT • Move the worker to a cooler environment. If possible, lay the worker down, and remove or loosen tight-fitting clothing. • Cool the worker by sponging with cool water and fanning. Take care not to cool the worker too much. If the worker begins to shiver, stop cooling. - In most cases, the patient's symptoms will improve dramatically within 30 minutes. - Call 911 immediately if there are signs of Heat Stroke (confusion, agitation, absence of sweating or loss of consciousness). ## PREVENTION • - Acclimatize your body (gradually expose yourself to warmer work environments). • Drink plenty of water (one glass every 20 minutes). • Wear clean, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric. • Take rest breaks in a cool or well-ventilated area. • Take more breaks during the hottest part of the day or when doing hard physical work. Allow your body to cool down before beginning again. • Take care not to burn. This can occur in as little as 10 minutes • If desired, apply high factor sun-screen generously and frequently to any parts of the body exposed to the sun; SPF15 or above • Remember to - hydrate before yo…

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HEAT ILLNESS Workplace Safety is No Accident MASSsafety Works! Ways to protect yourself and others. Tips from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Stay Hydrated Drink cool water, 5 to 7 ounces, every 15 to 20 minutes. ## Dress for the Heat Wear a hat, light-colored, loose- fitting, and breathable clothing. O OSHA osha.gov/heat ✓ Take Rest Breaks Recover from heat given the temperature and humidity. Work Together Monitor yourself and others for signs of heat illness. Heat exposure can be dangerous Signs of a medical emergency! • Abnormal thinking or behavior - Slurred speech • Seizures • Loss of consciousness ## Take these actions 1 >> CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY 2 >> COOL THE WORKER RIGHT AWAY WITH WATER OR ICE 3 >> STAY WITH THE WORKER UNTIL HELP ARRIVES 9-1-1 Curtsey: OSHA ## Prevent heat illness by remembering these simple steps: WATER REST SHADE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STANDARDS For more information, visit www.osha.gov/heat MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

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# HEAT STRESS ## Date Posted: 09/08/2016 Washington State can be known for its extreme temperatures. The temperature can change 20 degrees from one day to the next. Excessive heat can contribute to accidents in many ways. It becomes more difficult to concentrate on the job and this can lead to errors in judgment. It is important to be aware of the danger signs. When wearing restrictive clothing, even lower temperature can be dangerous. ## HEAT EXHAUSTION SYMPTOMS • Person is dazed, staggers, or becomes dizzy. • Person may present symptoms of nausea or vomiting and the person can feel chilly. • Person's face looks pale. • Person has weak pulse and body temperature is below normal. • Person is heavily sweating with clammy/moist skin. ## HEAT EXHAUSTION PREVENTION • Avoid ice water while working - Drink plenty of liquids, preferably water, every 15 minutes, even if you are not thirsty • Avoid heavy, fatty-type foods • Wear light colored clothing • Avoid fatigue; get plenty of rest REMEMBER: Alcohol consumption off work hours can still contribute to dehydration the next day. ## WHAT TO DO • Move person to a cooler place. Do not leave alone. • Loosen and remove heavy clothing that restricts evaporative cooling . If conscious, provide small amounts of cool water to drink • Remember three simple words: water, rest, shade. ## HEAT STROKE • More severe symptoms of heat exhaustion • Sweating may or may not be present • Red or flushed, hot, dry skin • Bizarre behavior • Mental confusion or losing consciousness ## WHAT TO DO • Call 911 for emergency medical assistance • Keep the victim lying down with their head lower than their feet. • Loosen the victim's clothing. • Give fluids if possible. Avoid ice water and alcohol. Salt solutions are best. Remember: Heat illness can be life threatening. The body is reacting to a life threatening situation. Do not take chances. Prevent Heat illness by being proactive.