Good Afternoon,

This week is going to be a hot one. Heat index values are forecast in the upper 80s to mid 90s on Tuesday, low to upper 90s on Wednesday, and the mid 80s to mid 90s on Thursday.  For much of the area Wednesday will be the hottest day.  Low temperatures will only drop into the mid 60s to low 70s for a few hours each night, which may not be sufficient to effectively cool a home or other structures, allowing for heat impacts to accumulate each day.

If you are working in the field this week, remember to pack extra drinking water and take frequent cooling breaks in air conditioned vehicles or shade to combat the effects of heat stress.

Be on the lookout for signs of heat stress in yourself and folks that you work with, as well as familiar with basic heat stress first aid.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

  • Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
  • Loss of consciousness (coma)
  • Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
  • Seizures
  • Very high body temperature
  • Fatal if treatment delayed

Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:

  • Call 911 for emergency medical care.
  • Stay with the worker until emergency medical services arrive.
  • Move the worker to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
  • Cool the worker quickly, using the following methods:
  • With a cold water or ice bath, if possible
  • Wet the skin
  • Place cold wet cloths on the skin
  • Soak clothing with cool water
  • Circulate the air around the worker to speed cooling.
  • Place a cold wet cloth or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Heat exhaustion is most likely to affect:

  • The elderly
  • People with high blood pressure
  • Those working in a hot environment

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Irritability
  • Thirst
  • Heavy sweating
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Decreased urine output

Treat a worker who has heat exhaustion by doing the following:

  • Take worker to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
  • Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
  • Have someone stay with the worker until help arrives.
  • Remove the worker from the hot area and give liquids to drink.
  • Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
  • Cool the worker with cold compresses or have the worker wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
  • Encourage frequent sips of cool water.

The CDC also recommends using the  OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App | NIOSH | CDC to monitor conditions in your immediate location to bring about awareness of heat stress conditions.

Take care and stay safe out there!