Excessive heat on the jobsite can be a danger to anyone. As you work, your body builds up heat and disperses sweat to help cool you off. Sometimes, however, your body cannot cool off fast enough. This can be caused by dehydration. You see, your body needs time to absorb water in order to hydrate the body. If you are heat stressed, just drinking water after the fact isn't a quick fix.
Too much heat built up in your body not only makes you tired and weak but it can cause serious illnesses, hurt your job performance, increase injury potentials, and even cause death.
The signs of heat stroke are:
1. Muscle Spasms And Cramps
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Mustle spasms may occur in your legs, arms or stomach.
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2. Drehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body becomes depleted of water and loses its ability to cool off by generating sweat. You will feel thirsty, weak, dizzy, faint, headaches occur, and fatigue sets in.
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3. Heat Exhaustion
When heat exhaustion begins, you'll likely have a headache, feel tired, feel nauseous, feel faint, and your skin will become damp and clammy. Your face will likely become flushed with an increased body temperature.
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4. Heat Stroke
Heat stroke can kill you if you don't act at once. The signs of heat stroke include hot dry skin, a very high temperature, and at this point, you may lose consciousness or notice a rapid pulse or convulsions may begin.
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5. What Leads To Heat Stress?
Heat stress risks can be attributed to many factors including:
- The weather condition including temperature and humidity.
- Your physical weight
- How much clothing you wear and the material it is made out of.
- Your phsyical condition.
- If you are overexerting yourself by lifting too much or running.
- Too much time in the hot sun or heat.
- Lack of air flow
6. Ways To Protect Yourself From Heat Stress
- Hydrate yourself before you go out in the sun or heated days.
- Keep your body hydrated by drinking 5-7 ounces of cool water every 15-20 minutes.
- Take time to cool off under a shade tree, fan, or an air conditoned area.
- Do the most stressful jobs in the cooler part of the day.
- Work in the shade when possible.
- Wear cotton clothing that will disapte heat more quickly and draw moisture from your skin.
- Acclimate your body to the temperature conditoions that you'll be working in.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to help your body dissipate heat.
