IAMU Informer
Follow IAMU!
  • Informer News Feed
  • IAMU Website

Toolbox Talk:  Avoiding Heat Stress

6/26/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Exposure to heat can make you sick or even kill you. Risk factors for heat stress include not being acclimated to the hot environment, high heat index, low liquid intake, physical labor and heavy clothing or certain types of personal protective equipment.

Picture
In order to keep our body’s core temperature adjusted correctly and to protect our internal organs
during hot conditions, the thermostat in our brain tells the skin pores to open so that we can sweat and release internal heat. We need to stay properly hydrated in order to have sufficient fluid for sweat. Remember to drink at least 1 pint of water or sports drink every hour.

Wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitting clothing. Take frequent rest and hydration breaks in an cool, shaded area.

It is important to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses in yourself and others. There are several types of these illnesses but they have one thing in common—a quick response is necessary in order to prevent the condition from worsening.

Symptoms of heat stress include headache, dizziness, fainting, confusion, profuse sweating or vomiting. When the body stops sweating, it’s temperature can rise so quickly that a heat stroke is likely. If you or a co-worker experience these symptoms, call for help immediately. Move the worker to a cool area, remove the outer layer of clothing and apply ice packs or cool, wet towels to the armpits and groin areas.

Keep an eye on the heat index. During times of high humidity the sweat from our bodies is not removed
quickly, creating that feeling of wearing a ‘wet blanket’. This condition raises risk of a heat-related illness.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to The Informer!

    * indicates required

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    RSS Feed

Picture

Copyright 2025 Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities