Page 213 - Safety Memo

TABLE 1 - HEAT DISORDERS

Disorder Symptoms Predisposing Factors Treatment Prevention

Unrelieved exposure Clean and dry the skin, Allow skin to dry in
Heat Cramps Tiny red and patchy to humid heat and apply mild drying cool place before re-
(prickly heat) blisters on skin. continuously sweaty lotions, and institute exposure.
skin work-rest regimen.

Drink salted liquids;
Painful spasms of arm, Heavy sweating during give intravenous
Heat Cramps leg, and stomach hard work; loss of infusion for quicker Ensure adequate salt
intake
muscles. body salt. relief. Salt tablets
should not be used
Impaired performance Lack of
of skilled sensory acclimatization; No specific Acclimatization and
Heat Fatigue motor, mental, or Occurs more recommendations training for work in
vigilance required frequently among unless accompanied by hot environments.
other heat illness.
jobs. unskilled employees.
Remove to cooler
area; have victim rest
in a recumbent
position with knees
raised or in a seated
position with head
Fainting, blurred Sustained exertion, down; have victim Acclimatization;
vision, fatigue, nausea, lack of drink salted liquid or intermittent activity;
Heat Exhaustion headache, giddiness; acclimatization; ensure adequate salt
clammy moist skin; dehydration. ingest small quantities intake.
of semi-liquid food.
pale facial color.
EVERY HEAT
EXHAUSTION CASE
SHOULD BE
TREATED AS A
POTENTIAL HEAT
STROKE CASE.

Confusion, irrational Call for medical
behavior, loss of assistance Medical screening of
consciousness, immediately. Move all heat-exposed
convulsions, extremely Sustained work in heat patient to cool area; workers, selection
by unacclimated
high body temperature
(104ºf) and rising. workers; lack of meanwhile, initiate based on health and
Condition fatal if physical fitness; immediate and rapid physical fitness;
Heat stroke cooling in chilled acclimatization for 5-7
treatment delayed. obesity and recent water while days by graded work
Other signs: partial or alcohol intake; administering massage and heat exposure;
complete failure of dehydration; chronic or wrap patient in wet monitoring of workers
sweating mechanism, respiratory disease. sheet and fan during sustained work
hot dry skin (usually vigorously with cool in severe heat.
red, mottled or dry air.
cyanotic).

10 | P a g e
Centric General Contractors 2019