Page 19 - Occupational Health & Safety, March 2017

How Heat Illness Affects You
The human body functions best at a body temperature of about 98° F, and so our bodies radiate excess heat to maintain our opti- mum body temperature. Heat dissipation is sped up by perspira- tion, which is why we sweat more when the air gets hotter or our metabolic rate increases.
When the outdoor temperature rises, when workers exert themselves, or when the air becomes humid and saturated with moisture, it becomes more difficult for our bodies to dissipate ex- cess heat. When our bodies can’t maintain our optimal body tem- perature, heat illness occurs.
Heat illness causes a variety of problems ranging from rashes to lethargy to death. Heat-related illness takes three primary forms: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. The following symp- toms should be addressed immediately, before they become more significant and potentially fatal.
Heat cramps are usually caused by performing hard physical labor in a hot environment. These cramps have been attributed to an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating, which depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels. Symptoms include:
■ Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms, or legs
Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through sweating. Heat exhaustion should not be dismissed lightly for several reasons. One is that the faint- ing associated with heat exhaustion can be extremely dangerous if the victim is operating machinery. Furthermore, the victim may be
injured when he or she faints. Other symptoms of heat exhaustion: ■ Rapid heartbeat and profuse sweating
■ Extreme weakness or fatigue
■ Dizziness, nausea, vomiting
■ Elevated body temperature
Heat stroke is a medical emergency and the most serious form of heat-related illness. Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature, which can cause death or perma- nent disability. Symptoms include:
■ High body temperature
■ Confusion and loss of coordination
■ Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
■ Throbbing headache
■ Seizures, coma
Pre-emptive and first aid measures—including acclimatization,
worker monitoring programs, fluid replacement, reduced physical demands, and intermittent rest periods—will address the symp- toms, of course, but there are several proactive measures that must be considered to prevent heat illness. Among them is the use of fans to maintain a constant airflow, which makes the body’s natural cooling process more efficient.
How Fans Help
Heat leaves our body more quickly when a breeze is present. Fans create airflow that quickly evaporates perspiration from our skin, carrying away heat. The airflow also reduces the thickness of the
Education for Safety Professionals
wwwU.notihtlesdo-2nli1ne.com
MARCH 2017 | Occupational Health &2/2S/1a7fet1y1:13 AM15
Are You Sure Workplace Bullying Is Legal?
Sharpen your safety skills with this Advanced Level training course.
March 9, 2017
1 p.m. Eastern • 12 noon Central • 10 a.m. Pacific
According to OSHA’s website, “workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide.” Two of those examples are describing workplace bullying, also known as Level I violence. OSHA requires employers to provide their employees with a place of employment that is free from hazards that are causing or likely to cause harm to employees. Sure sounds like OSHA makes bullying illegal, but reality says otherwise. Join Catherine Mattice, internationally recognized expert and author of the book hailed by Ken Blanchard as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook” on workplace bullying, as she takes you through the process of developing effective strategies for dealing with workplace bullying and provides a step-by-step guide for building a healthy workplace where employees can thrive. Registrants will receive a Certificate of Completion and can print the presentation slides in their entirety. Register now for this live, 90-minute presentation. Only $99 per attendee!
Presenter Catherine M. Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Chevron, the American Red Cross, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared as an expert in major news outlets.
Visit ohsonline.com for more OH&S Academy courses on demand!
Register today at ohsonline.com