Caltech Heat Illness Prevention Program

1. Caltech Heat Illness Prevention Program Caltech Environment, Health, and Safety Office

2. Describe the Heat Illness Prevention Plan List the Risk Factors of Heat Illness Identify Types of Heat Illnesses Learn How to Prevent Heat Illness Identify Basic Responsibilities Learning Objectives

3. What is Heat Illness? • Our body has an internal thermostat • controls our temperature by sweating for cooling • Heat illness happens when • our bodies overheat and do not have enough water to cool us

4. Our Prevention Plan • Recognize the Risk Factors • Know Heat Illness Signs and Symptoms • Emergency Procedures • Identify Methods to Prevent Heat Illness

5. Environment Air temperature and humidity Radiant heat from the sun Air movement Workload severity and duration Protective clothing and equipment worn by employees Ourselves Age, health, and degree of acclimatization Water, caffeine, and alcohol consumption Prescription medication use that may affect the body’s water retention Risk Factors

6. Importance of Sweat • Sweat is triggered when • our body reaches an internal temperature at which sweat glands are triggered to create sweat on the skin for cooling • Skin is the body’s Radiator • moving air over the skin increases heat exchange for cooling

7. Heat Illnesses • Sweat loss • reduces blood plasma volume (the liquid part of blood) • may cause an electrolyte (e.g. sodium, potassium, chloride) imbalance in the blood • stresses the cardiovascular system and contributes to a faster increase in body temperature that may lead to either: • Heat Exhaustion or • Heat Stroke

8. Symptoms Weakness, giddiness, nausea, headache Clammy, moist skin – pale or flushed Temperature normal or slightly above Treatment Immediately move victim to cool area, provide water and rest Anyone who loses consciousness or vomits requires further medical help Heat Exhaustion

9. Symptoms Confusion, delirium, convulsions, or unconsciousness Hot, dry skin and rapid pulse Very high temperature – above 103° F Treatment Medical emergency! Immediately cool to reduce core temperature Loosen/remove extra clothing Pour or sponge water over person or immerse Fan vigorously Heat Stroke

10. Emergency and First Aid • Report: • your or other co-worker’s signs and symptoms of heat illness to you supervisor. • Supervisors are to: • contact Security (x5000) to obtain medical help. • be prepared to give an accurate work location.

11. Steps for Preventing Heat Illness • Acclimate • Dress for conditions • Drink plenty of fluids before you’re thirsty • Access to shade

12. Acclimate – get used to the HEAT • About 7 to 10 days • Work for short periods in the heat • gradually increasing in time and intensity • Stay in good shape • conditioned muscles work more efficiently and generate less body heat • If you spend time out of the heat due to vacation • you may need to acclimate again

13. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing promotes heat loss by exposing sweat-laden skin to the air allows sweat to evaporate Heavy clothing and equipment traps heat and sweat against the skin forces the body to produce more sweat to cool itself Dress for Heat Conditions Yes No

14. Drinking Water • Don’t wait for warning signs • Drink water up to a quart each hour • Include sodium-containing snacks or food to replace the electrolytes in body fluid • It is a Caltech safety policy to provide enough water for employees to drink one quart per hour or have a means to replenish during the shift.

15. Caffeinated Drinks • Caffeine is a drug, not a nutrient • Caffeine is a diuretic • increases urine production • adds to dehydration

16. Preventing Heat Illness with Shade • Do heaviest work in cooler (shaded) areas or in cooler time of day • A variety of cooling methods include: • Ventilation, fans • Vehicle air conditioning, if applicable • Shielding or tent shading when air conditioning is not available • It is Caltech’s safety policy to have access to shade, especially for those needing a break.

17. Ensure employees receive heat illness training before working outdoors. Provide adequate water supplies 2 gallons per person per shift, shade and/or air-conditioned vehicles, if applicable. Be alert to any employee symptoms or signs of heat illness and take precautions as needed. Prepare, maintain, and follow emergency response plans in the event of an employee heat illness. Supervisor Responsibilities

18. Employee Responsibilities • Attend heat illness training • Follow heat illness precautions when working outdoors • including frequently drinking water • Immediately report • any symptoms or signs of heat illness in yourself or co-workers

19. Review Questions • What are the Risk Factors to Heat Illness? • Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity and personal factors such as health and water use • How can you recognize Heat Stroke? • Confusion, delirium, convulsions, hot, dry skin • How much water do you need to prevent heat illness? • At least one quart per hour per employee or two gallons per shift per employee