Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years old and older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat. To prevent heat illness, drink water every 15 minutes; rest in the shade when you need to cool down; wear a hat and light-colored clothing; take it easy on your first days of work in the heat; and watch for symptoms in your co-workers. If not treated, heat exhaustion – the symptoms of which include dizziness, headache, and sweaty skin – can lead to heat stroke. The symptoms of heat stroke include red, dry skin; confusion; and fainting. Heat stroke can kill you!

Surfaces that exceed 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) are sources of infrared radiation that can add to a worker’s heat load The minimum exposure time for achieving heat acclimatization is at least two hours per day, which may be broken into one-hour exposures. Hours 2 Workers should not be permitted to work when their deep body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists A heat wave occurs when the daily maximum temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or when the daily maximum temperature exceeds 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) and is 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) or more above the maximum reached on the preceding days.

Information provided by KARM Safety Solutions 503-689-6697