Heat Stress and the need to Acclamate 2008

Humans are, to a large extent, capable of adjusting to the heat. This adjustment to heat, under normal circumstances, usually takes about 5 to 7 days, during which time the body will undergo a series of changes that will make continued exposure to heat more endurable. On the first day of work in a hot environment, the body temperature, pulse rate, and general discomfort will be higher. With each succeeding daily exposure, all of these responses will gradually decrease, while the sweat rate will increase. When the body becomes acclimated to the heat, the worker will find it possible to perform work with less strain and distress. Gradual exposure to heat gives the body time to become accustomed to higher environmental temperatures. Heat disorders in general are more likely to occur among workers who have not been given time to adjust to working in the heat or among workers who have been away from hot environments and who have gotten accustomed to lower temperatures. Hot weather conditions of the summer are likely to affect the worker who is not acclimatized to heat. Likewise, workers who return to work after a leisurely vacation or extended illness may be affected by the heat in the work environment. Whenever such circumstances occur, the worker should be gradually reacclimatized to the hot environment. In 2008 Washington State adopted a heat stress standard defining the minimum protection for outdoor workers. Only California has a similar requirement in the USA. The regulation requires employers with employees who work outdoors to train workers and supervisors to recognize heat-related illness and what to do if someone has symptoms. On days when temperatures require preventive measures, employers must increase the volume of water available to workers and have the ability to appropriately respond to any worker with symptoms of illness. For more information on heat stress and its prevention, link to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries website at http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/default.asp . This is clipped from the very good 2008 DVD (21min) , Heat : A Dangerous Combination, from the wonderful folks at the Washington State L&I (which includes the Washington State OSHA program). Go to their website for other good DVDs and great information: http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/TrainTools/Videos/Library/catalog.asp?VideoID=V1277 .

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Heat
• stress
• illness
• stroke
• fatigue
• cramps
• rash
• exhaustion
• dehydration
• safety
• worker
• health
• OSHA
• Washington
• State
• labor
• humidity
• temperature
• PPE
• hazwoper