Hydration

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# Module 12: Working Outdoors (cont.) ## How Can We Identify Skin Cancer? (cont.) Instruction Zone Roadway Safety - Working Outdoors [redacted street address] Construction Industry Consortium Awareness Program ## What Are the Hazards of Hot Weather? It can lead to heat stress, exhaustion, or stroke. Heat illness- es can be caused by a combination of: • Heat exposure. • High humidity. • Non-breathing synthetic clothing. • Not drinking enough fluids to replace sweat. • Hard work, body heat, and not being "acclimatized." Fig. WO-3B. Alcohol consumption and being overweight increase risk. Fig. WO-3A. Hot weather can cause heat illnesses. 70% 100 0 60% 95° 50% 90° 40% 85° Danger 30% 80° Caution Less hazardous Humidity Temperature • Can lead to heat rash, cramps, exhaustion, and stroke. • Alcohol increases your risk. • May be more likely if you are overweight and not fit. Heat stress: ## NOTES: During hot summer months, construction workers face even greater risk of heat stress. In 2000, 21 workers died and 2,554 others experienced heat-related occupational injuries and illness- es serious enough to make them miss work. Ask trainees: Do you drink enough water on hot days? How much is enough? (2 to 3 quarts) DISTRIBUTE OSHA HEAT STRESS CARDS TO TRAINEES. When should you drink water? (Answer: Even if you are not thirsty.)

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# Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) (cont.) ## Heat Illness Prevention (cont.) Signs and symptoms of heat illness may include: ## Heat Rash (Prickly Heat)-General Symptoms: - Can cover large parts of the body - Looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters - Often on the neck, chest, groin, under the breasts, or in elbow creases - Feels uncomfortable, can disrupt sleep and work performance • Complicated by infections ## Heat Cramps-General Symptom: Painful muscle spasms in the stomach, arms, legs, and other body parts (may occur after work or at night) ## Fainting-General Symptoms: - Sudden dizziness, light-headedness - Unconsciousness Notes: >>Provide first aid immediately >>Never give liquids to an unconscious person ## Heat Exhaustion-General Symptoms: • Heavy sweating, painful muscle cramps, extreme weakness and/or fatigue - Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache . Body temperature normal or slightly high - Fainting . Pulse fast and weak • Breathing fast and shallow • Clammy, pale, cool, and/or moist skin Note: Heat exhaustion can occur because of high core body temperature even when an individual is well hydrated. ## Heat Stroke-General Symptoms: - No sweating; the body cannot release heat or cool down - Mental confusion, delirium, convulsions, dizziness . Hot and dry skin (e.g., red, bluish, or mottled) - Muscles may twitch uncontrollably - Pulse can be rapid and weak - Throbbing headache, shallow breathing, seizures/fits - Unconsciousness and coma - Body temperature may range from 102-104°F or higher within 10-15 minutes Note: A heat stroke victim may die within 30 to 60 minutes unless treated properly, and survivors may have some degree of permanent neurological impairment. Requirements and guidance for heat illness prevention in the workplace: A. All employers who have employees working in outdoor places of employment must have a written heat illness prevention plan and implement effective procedures…

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# Healthy Eating at Work (cont.) ## Do some jobs have specific nutrition concerns? In most cases, no. Most jobs today do not require the employee to eat any additional calories to compensate for physical activity at work. The exception may be very physical work such as people who lift or carry heavy loads most of the day, such as shovelling, sawing trees by hand, farm work, etc. If you have concerns about meeting your nutritional needs, ask a dietitian or your family doctor for advice. ## Should a workplace offer salt and fluid supplements when individuals are working in hot environments? A person working at a high pace or in a very hot environment loses water and salt through sweat. On average, about one litre of water each hour may be required to replace the fluid loss. Plenty of cool (10-15°C) drinking water should be available on the job site and workers should be encouraged to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if they do not feel thirsty. Many people drink sport drinks, fruit juice, etc. Drinks specially designed to replace body fluids and electrolytes may be taken but for most people, they should be used in moderation and water should still be consumed. The electrolyte drinks may be of benefit for workers who have very physically active occupations but keep in mind they may add unnecessary sugar or salt to your diet. Drinks with alcohol or caffeine should never be taken, as they dehydrate the body. For most people, water is the most efficient fluid for re-hydration. A worker used to, or acclimatized to, lifting heavy loads or working in the heat sweats more "efficiently" — they sweat sooner and sweat more, but they lose less salt in their sweat than persons who are not used to such work. For this reason, the salt in a normal diet is usually enough to maintain the electrolyte balance - and keep the body working well. Generally speaking people will consume enough salt through their regular diet, so adding more salt when performing heavy tasks is not …

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# Water, Rest, Shade The three biggest things for employers to remember is to provide water, rest, and shade. • Employers should provide cool water for workers to drink. Proper hydration is key in preventing heat illness. It is also a good idea to provide drinks with electrolytes, because electrolytes are lost when we sweat. • When heat stress is high, employers should require workers to take breaks. The length and frequency of rest breaks should increase as heat stress rises. - Workers should be given a cool location where they can take their breaks and recover from the heat. • Outdoors, this might mean a shady area, an air-conditioned vehicle, a nearby building or tent, or an area with fans and misting devices. • Indoors, workers should be allowed to rest in a cool or air-conditioned area away from heat sources such as ovens and furnaces. VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY

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# Cause of Death The coroner listed the cause of death as due to heat stroke. ## Recommendations and Discussions 1. Employers should train supervisors and employees to recognize symptoms of heat exhaustion / stroke when working in high heat index and / or humid conditions. - According to, "The Physician and Sports Medicine", heat stroke occurs when the body's ability to dissipate heat is impeded either due to disease or physical exertion. Signs of heat stroke are: the person stops sweating, becomes dizzy, confused and/or disoriented, rapid pulse rate, dizziness, nausea, headache, or a high body temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (1). External temperatures over 82 degrees Fahrenheit increase the risk for heat exhaustion /stroke (2). Employers and employees should observe each other for signs of heat exhaustion / stroke. Workers should be trained to know and understand company procedures for reporting a worker exhibiting symptoms of heat stress / stroke. 2. To avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion / stroke, employees should be given frequent breaks and be provided drinking water and other hydrating drinks when working in humid and hot conditions. - While working in heat, staying hydrated is important. Drinking the appropriate amount of fluids such as water and/or sports drinks that replace the body's electrolytes helps the body maintain its appropriate temperature. It is suggested to match fluid loss from the body with fluid intake (3). Besides drinking plenty of fluids, employees should wear light colored clothing and fabrics that wick away moisture from the skin (3). Though, not a factor in this incident, when the weather is conducive to heat exhaustion / stroke, workers should also avoid consumption of alcohol and caffeine (4). 3. Work hours should be adjusted to accommodate environmental work conditions such as high heat index and/or high humidity. - When high temperatures are predicted, employers should consider changing work hours to accommodate th…

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# Can we become acclimatized to hot environments? (cont.) ## How can I prevent heat-related illnesses? (cont.) An acclimatized worker loses relatively little salt in their sweat, and therefore, salt in a normal diet is usually sufficient to maintain the electrolyte balance in the body fluids. For unacclimatized workers who may sweat continuously and repeatedly, additional salt in food may be used. Salt tablets are not recommended because the salt does not enter the body system as fast as water or other fluids. Too much salt can cause higher body temperatures, increased thirst and nausea. Workers on salt-restricted diets should discuss the need for supplementary salt with their doctor. Sport drinks and fruit juice: Drinks specially designed to replace body fluids and electrolytes may be taken but for most people, they should be used in moderation. They may be of benefit for workers who have very physically active occupations but keep in mind they may add unnecessary sugar or salt to your diet. Fruit juice or sport and electrolyte drinks, diluted to half the strength with water, is an option. Emergency Action Plan: An emergency plan is needed in extreme environments. The plan should include procedures for providing affected workers with first aid and medical care. Note: Drinks with alcohol or caffeine should be avoided, as they dehydrate the body. Water is the most efficient fluid for rehydration for most. Fact sheet last revised: 2024-09-25 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Hot Environments - Control Measures CCOHS

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# 12 Elements of a Heat Illness Prevention Program (cont.) ## 6. Allow Frequent Rest Breaks (cont.) OSHA continued from page 5 Occupational Safety and Health Administration Heat Illness Prevention # Set Controls and Monitor On-Site Activity ## 7. Identify Heat Hazards Hazard identification is recognizing heat hazards and the risk of heat illness due to high temperature, humidity, sun and other thermal exposures, work demands, clothing or PPE, and personal risk factors. Use this checklist to identify potential sources of heat hazards. ## 8. Check the Temperature in the Space Before Work Use apps and tools to track heat hazards. - For outdoor work, use the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App (Apple Store or Google Play) to plan activities based on how hot it feels throughout the day. Consult the National Weather Service Heat Index and watch for high temperature weather alerts. - For indoor work, use a combination thermometer and hygrometer to identify the heat index in the work area. Post signage of actions to take based on the work area's heat index. | ៦៦២ PTTOR ## 9. Monitor for Heat Illness Symptoms Establish a monitoring system for the signs and symptoms of heat illness. Also train workers to monitor each other. A buddy system can help supervisors watch for signs of heat illness. More robust heat illness prevention programs establish a medical monitoring program. This should include medical evaluations before a worker starts (pre-placement) and periodic medical evaluations. The program should also include a plan for monitoring worker heat strain (e.g., core temperature, hydration, pulse, and/or blood pressure) on the job. ## 10. Designate a Break Area and Encourage Hydration Remember: Water, Rest, Shade. Designate a shady or cool area for breaks and provide cool drinking water. Portable tents and shelters can be a solution for areas without natural shade. Ensure drinking water is available and accessible and encourage workers to drink 1 liter pe…