1. Training for Supervisors and Employees
Heat Stress
Prevention Program
Training for Supervisors and Employees
Environmental Health and Safety

2. Training Program Objectives
Protect employees from outdoor heat
hazards by:
Identifying, evaluating and controlling potential risk factors
Providing information and training to supervisors and employees
Proper response to heat-related illnesses

3. When do employees need to be protected?
When the outdoor temperatures reach these action levels
All other clothing
89 degrees
Double-layer woven clothes including coveralls, jackets and sweatshirts
77 degrees
Non-breathing clothes including vapor barrier clothing or PPE such as chemical resistant suits
52 degrees

4. When do employees need to be protected?
When employees are assigned to work outdoors on a regular basis
When there is a sudden and significant increase in temperature and employees have not had time to acclimate

5. Supervisor Responsibilities
Implementing a written outdoor heat stress program* by following this training program
Evaluating and controlling outdoor heat stress factors
Training employees
Encouraging frequent water consumption (one quart of water per employee per hour)
Proper response to heat-related illness
*Visit to access written program

6. Employee Responsibilities
Monitoring personal factors for heat-related illness
Frequently drinking water
Reporting signs and symptoms of heat-related illness to their supervisor

7. Environmental factors that contribute to the risk of heat-related illness
Direct sun, heat and humidity
More direct sun = greater risk
Limited air movement
Low or no wind the greater the risk 7

8. Environmental factors that contribute to the risk of heat-related illness
Hot equipment
Engines add more heat
Heat reflected from the ground
or objects
Asphalt, rocks 8

9. Environmental factors that contribute to the risk of heat-related illness
Physical exertion
What kind of work are you doing?
How hard are you working?
How long are you working? 9

10. Environmental factors that contribute to the risk of heat-related illness
Clothing and Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Heavy clothing
Multiple layers
Dark colored clothing
Protective clothing
Vapor barrier clothing
Chemical resistant suits
Respiratory protection 10

11. Personal factors that contribute to the risk of heat-related illness
Physical Factors
Age
Weight
Degree of Physical Fitness
Degree of Acclimatization
Use of caffeine
Smoking
Use of alcohol
Medical Condition
It is difficult to predict just who will be affected and when, because individual susceptibility varies

12. Helpful tips for working in the heat
Start and end the work shift early
When possible, schedule strenuous work during the coolest part of the day
Increase breaks if:
Conditions are very hot
Workload is heavy
Protective clothing limits cooling
Take breaks in a shaded, cooler area
Alternate heavy work with light work when possible
Have a “Buddy System” to keep an eye on co-workers for symptoms of heat illness 12

13. Helpful tips for working in the heat
Work in the shade or out of direct
sun when possible
Avoid getting sunburned
Wear proper clothing
Light colored
Light weight
Natural fibers
Hat with a brim
Cooling vest may be helpful in some cases

14. Helpful tips for working in the heat Remove PPE and excess clothing during breaks14

15. Helpful tips for working in the heat
WATER CONSUMPTION
It is important to drink small quantities of water throughout the day.
One quart or more over the course of an hour may be necessary when the work environment is hot and you may be sweating more than usual.
Supervisors are responsible for encouraging water consumption.
Employees are responsible for monitoring their own personal factors for heat-related illness including consumption of water or other acceptable beverages to ensure hydration. 15

16. Helpful tips for working in the heat
Proper hydration is key to preventing
heat related illness DO
Start work well hydrated
Drink plenty of water throughout the day
Consider sports drinks for electrolyte replacement when sweating a lot
AVOID
Drinking pop and other sugary drinks
Drinking lots of coffee and tea
Drinking alcohol
Waiting for thirst before drinking water
By “hydration” we mean drinking enough water. If you become dehydrated, heat illness can occur.
The most effective way for preventing heat stress is to steadily replenish the water that the body loses as sweat.
Drinking a large amount of water all at once after sweating heavily for a long time is not as effective and can even be dangerous.
About 1 quart every hour
Cool liquids are better than ice cold
Supply adequate water and encourage employees to drink regularly.
Workers in restricted environments (sewers, etc.) should drink before entry and at regular intervals. 16

17. Helpful tips for working in the heat
You can get water from these
sources:
Drinking fountains
Closeable containers with tap (provide individual cups)
Bottled water
Hydration packs
Water should be suitably cool (60
degrees Fahrenheit or less)
Note: Suitably cool water should be sixty degrees Fahrenheit or less. During hot weather, employees may require up to three gallons of water per day. With this water consumption comes a need to use the bathroom. Facilities need to be available and workers must be given the opportunity to use them as needed.
Hydration pack
Worker wearing hydration pack 17

18. Helpful tips for working in the heat
Acclimatization
When people are not used to being in the heat they need to adjust (acclimate) to hot working conditions over a few days.
In severe heat, gradually build up exposure time especially if work is strenuous.
Eastern WA workers experience more heat and are better acclimated.
Western WA workers experience heat less often and do not have the opportunity to acclimate.
Pay special attention to:
New employees
People just back from being
sick
Anyone absent for more than
weeks
People who have just moved
from a cooler climate
Everyone during heat wave
events 18

19. How the body controls heat
When body core temperature rises:
Blood flows to skin increase
Sweating increases
Heart rate increases to move blood and heat to the skin
When this works well:
Core temperature drops or stabilizes at a safe level

20. Causes of Heat Related Illness
So much sweat is lost that
Dehydration results
The body cannot cool itself by sweating and the core temperature rises
Salt loss causes heat cramps
So much blood flow goes to the skin that other organs can not function properly
The body is subject to more heat than it can cope with and heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur

21. How to respond to a heat related illness
Employees showing signs and symptoms of heat related illness are to:
Cease work and report their condition to their supervisor
Be relieved from duty and provided means to reduce body temperature
Employees experiencing sunburn, heat rash or heat cramps will be monitored to determine whether medical attention is necessary
911 must be called if employees experience signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke
Fill out an Incident Report for any heat related incident

22. Heat Stress Illnesses Heat Rash
Causes: Likely to occur in hot, humid environments where sweat is not easily removed from the surface of the skin by evaporation and the skin remains wet most of the time.
Symptoms: The sweat ducts become plugged, and a skin rash soon appears. When the rash is extensive or when it is complicated by infection, prickly heat can be very uncomfortable and may reduce a worker's performance.
Treatment: The worker can prevent this condition by resting in a cool place part of each day and by regularly bathing and drying the skin. 22

23. Heat Stress Illnesses Heat Cramps
Causes: This normally happens after exercise. Most often to people who are not used to the heat, who sweat a lot or don’t drink enough fluids.
Symptoms: Severe pain and cramps in legs and abdomen, fainting or dizziness, weakness, profuse sweating and headaches.
Treatment: Increase fluid intake, rest and move to a cool place. Get medical attention if cramps persist

24. Heat Stress Illnesses Heat Exhaustion
Causes: This is caused by the loss of body fluids and important salts due to overexposure to high temperatures and humidity. Usually one is exposed to heat for a prolonged amount of time and becomes dehydrated.
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, skin is cool and pale, pupils become dilated. Victim is usually conscious but may faint, has a core temperature of over 102.
Heat Exhaustion starts with the accumulation of large quantities of blood in the skin in the body’s attempt to increase it’s cooling efficiency.
This is normally due to temperature conditions the individual is not used to.
There is a loss of circulating blood volume in the body which decreases the blood supply to the brain, increasing the likelihood of fainting.
Treatment: Call 911, provide EMS with directions to work site. Get to the shade, cool off, increase fluids, cold wet towels or ice, fan, elevate legs above heart, loosen clothing, don’t give any liquids containing alcohol or caffeine. If left untreated Heat Exhaustion can lead to HEATSTROKE.

25. Heat Stress Illnesses Heat Stroke
Causes: Heat stroke is a medical emergency and a life threatening condition. It is caused by the failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms of the body, due to high heat and humidity.
Symptoms: Headache, nausea, dizziness, skin is red, dry and very hot (sweating has ceased). Pulse is strong and rapid, small pupils, high fever of May be disorientated, lose consciousness, possible convulsions.
The underlying cause of heat stroke is connected to the sudden inability to dissipate body heat through perspiration.
This accounts for the excessive rise in body temperature and it’s the high fever which can cause permanent damage to internal organs, and can lead to death.
When someone passes out from heat stroke, his or her brain is being cooked just as the colorless part of an egg turns white when it hits the griddle.
Any cold liquid should be used to cool the victim.
Once revived, the victim should be watched for more than an hour as his temperature can start to rise to high levels again.
Treatment: Call 911, provide EMS with directions to worksite. Get the victim to a shady area, loosen clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (i.e. spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, place ice packs under armpits and groins. DO NOT give medication to lower fever.

26. Remember – to prevent heat illness:
Drink water frequently !!
Know the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses and take them seriously
Consider sports drinks when sweating a lot
Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and heavy meals before or during work
Acclimate
Wear appropriate clothing
Take regular breaks in a cool area
Keep an eye on your buddy! 26

27. Additional Resources Contact Environmental Health and Safety
for heat stress consultation and training at or