
This time of year, our employees are required to work in hot environments for long periods of time. When the human body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related illnesses can occur and may result in death. This memorandum provides information on measures DNHI should take to prevent heat-related illnesses to our employees. 

Factors That Increase Risk to Workers: High temperature and humidity, direct sun exposure (with no shade), limited air movement (no breeze), low fluid consumption, physical exertion, heavy personal protective clothing, poor physical condition or health problems, Some medications, for example, different kinds of blood pressure pills or antihistamines, lack of recent exposure to hot working conditions, previous heat-related illness and advanced age (65+). 

Health Problems Caused by Hot Working Environments: 

Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related health problem. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperature regulating 
system fails and body temperature rises to critical levels. Heat stroke is a medical emergency that may rapidly result in death. 

Some symptoms of heat stroke include: Confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, very high body temperature and hot, dry skin or profuse sweating. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency! If an employee shows signs of possible heat stroke, perform First Aid and CPR if needed and call 911 and get emergency medical help. First Aid and CPR training is coming soon pending the COVID-19 situation. 
Make sure that someone stays with the employee until help arrives. Move the employee to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing. Wet the employee with cool water and circulate the air to speed cooling. Place cold wet rags or ice all over the body or soak the worker’s clothing with cold water. 

Heat Exhaustion is the next most serious heat related health problem. 

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include: headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine output. If an employee shows signs of possible heat exhaustion: escort the employee to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment. If medical care is not available, call 911 immediately and make sure that someone stays with the employee until help arrives. Employees should be removed from the hot area and given liquids to drink, remove unnecessary clothing including shoes and socks, cool the worker with cold compresses to the head, neck, and face or have the employee wash his or her head, face and neck with cold water and encourage frequent sips of cool water. If the employee is unable to drink, get emergency medical help immediately. 

Heat Rash is the most common problem in hot work environments. Heat rash is caused by sweating and looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. Heat rash usually appears on the neck, upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts and in elbow creases. If an employee shows signs of possible heat rash, provide a less humid work environment, keep the rash area dry, apply powder to increase comfort if available, ointments and creams should not be used on a heat rash. Anything that makes the skin warm or moist may make the rash worse. 

Preventing Heat Illness: The best way to prevent heat illness is to make the work environment cooler (i.e. administrative and engineering controls). Examples of other prevention methods are as follows. train employees and supervisors about the hazards leading of heat illness and ways to prevent them. Train employees and supervisors to recognize symptoms in themselves and others, train and encourage employees and supervisors to immediately report symptoms in themselves and others, if you have someone who is new to the job or who has been away for more than a week, gradually increase the workload or allow more frequent breaks the first week, provide workers with plenty of cool water in convenient, visible locations close to the work, schedule your work around extreme hot and humid days (i.e. nightshift), eat regular meals and snacks as they provide salt and electrolytes to replace those lost through sweating as long as enough water is consumed, reflective clothing such as safety vests should be worn as loosely as possible to minimize heat illness and pre-hydrate. Drinking a bottle of water prior to starting the day sets the body up for a well hydrated workday. 

I have attached a Green Alert issued back in 2018 for your review of OSHA Apps that can assist you in your decision making.       Kurt Dahl
