This condition results from loss of fluid through sweating when a worker fails to drink enough fluids, replace mineral loss, or both. The worker still sweats but experiences extreme weakness/fatigue, intense thirst, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and/or headache. The skin is clammy and moist, the complexion is pale/flushed, and the body temperature is normal or slightly higher. Prevention/First Aid: Move the affected individual to a cool location such as a shaded area or building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, apply cool wet cloths, or fan them. Remove as much clothing as possible. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day and continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids. Call 911 immediately if the person becomes refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness. Contact your supervisor immediately. Heat Syncope (Fainting) Description: Heat syncope, or fainting, can occur if a worker is not acclimatized to heat and if the worker stands still rather than moving around. Prevention/First Aid: Victims usually recover after a brief period of lying down. Moving around, rather than standing still in the heat, will reduce the possibility of fainting. Call 911 and your supervisor immediately if the person becomes ill. Heat Stroke Description: Heat Stroke is a potentially life-threatening illness. It is caused by the failure of the internal mechanism to regulate its core temperature. A heat stroke body’s victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. Heat stroke is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. It is therefore very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and to check for them anytime someone collapses while working in a hot environment. Symptoms include a high body temperature (106 degrees or higher), hot dry skin which may be red, mottled, or bluish, mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma, and absence of sweating.
This condition results from loss of fluid through sweating when a worker fails to drink enough fluids, replace mineral loss, or both. The worker still sweats but experiences extreme weakness/fatigue, intense thirst, dizziness, giddiness, nausea, and/or headache. The skin is clammy and moist, the complexion is pale/flushed, and the body temperature is normal or slightly higher. Prevention/First Aid: Move the affected individual to a cool location such as a shaded area or building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, apply cool wet cloths, or fan them. Remove as much clothing as possible. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day and continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids. Call 911 immediately if the person becomes refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness. Contact your supervisor immediately. Heat Syncope (Fainting) Description: Heat syncope, or fainting, can occur if a worker is not acclimatized to heat and if the worker stands still rather than moving around. Prevention/First Aid: Victims usually recover after a brief period of lying down. Moving around, rather than standing still in the heat, will reduce the possibility of fainting. Call 911 and your supervisor immediately if the person becomes ill. Heat Stroke Description: Heat Stroke is a potentially life-threatening illness. It is caused by the failure of the body’s internal mechanism to regulate its core temperature. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. Heat stroke is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. It is therefore very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and to check for them anytime someone collapses while working in a hot environment. Symptoms include a high body temperature (106 degrees or higher), hot dry skin which may be red, mottled, or bluish, mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma, and absence of sweating.
Heat-Illness_Policy-TEMPLATE.docx