Striving For Safety Excellence HunterDouglas Corporate Environmental, Safety, Risk Management Heat Stress

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Related Illness Happens when the body is not able to cool itself and the body overheats. Can case injury, disability or even death. Is preventable. Environmental Factors contributing to Heat Stress: Direct sunlight, heat and humidity Limited air movement

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Personal Risk Factors  Dehydration  Failure to drink enough water can make you dehydrated  Loss of electrolytes  When you sweat you lose electrolytes  Electrolytes are needed for your body to function  Illness/fever

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Personal Risk Factors © MMIII Bongarde Holdings Inc.   Age, weight, and personal fitness   Past heat-related illness   Medical conditions   Heart conditions   Diabetes   Etc.   Certain medications   See next slide

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Medications Can Effect Heat Stress Allergy medicines (antihistamines) Cough and cold medicines Blood pressure and heart medicines Irritable bladder or bowel medicines Laxatives Mental health medicines Seizure medicines Thyroid pills Water pills (diuretics) A health care provider or pharmacist can tell you for sure.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Personal Risk Factors Diet Sugar added drinks Heavy foods Alcohol Hangover

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Working in Heat Tips – Work Safe  Have a “Buddy System” to keep an eye on co-workers for symptoms of heat illness such as crankiness and denial  Increase breaks if:  Conditions are very hot; or  High exertion levels; or  Protective clothing limits evaporative cooling  Alternate heavy work with light work when possible  When possible, schedule the hardest work for the cooler parts of the day.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence DRINK WATER   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 as you work.   Employers 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.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Proper Hydration is Key DO   Drink plenty of water   Start work well hydrated   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

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Types of Heat Illness  There are five main kinds of heat illness:  Heat rash – often under clothing  Heat cramps – in arms or legs with physical labor. Can be caused by the loss of electrolytes from sweating.  Fainting – can occur when person not used to heat  Heat exhaustion – more serious effect  Heat stroke – can be fatal

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Most Serious Heat Illness Heat exhaustion and Heat stroke Heat Stroke Dehydration Heat Exhaustion Untreated heat exhaustion may progress to heat stroke. Symptoms of either should always be taken seriously. Note:  Heat exhaustion or heat stroke may develop over a few days.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Related Signs, Symptoms and Response IllnessSigns and Symptoms Response Heat rash  Red blister-like eruptions/bumps  Itching (prickly sensation)  Rest in a cool place.  Allow the skin to dry.  Monitor for infection. Heat Cramps  Painful spasms  Abnormal body posture  Grasping the affected area  Rest in a cool place.  Drink water or a heavily diluted sports beverage (such as Gatorade).  Seek medical attention if cramping is severe or does not go away.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Exhaustion Signs, Symptoms and Response IllnessSigns and Symptoms Heat exhaustion  Headaches,  Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting  Weakness,  Mood changes, irritability or confusion  Feeling sick to your stomach and/or vomiting  Extreme sweating  Decreased and dark-colored urine  Pale clammy skin

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Exhaustion Response  Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the person alone. If the person is dizzy or light-headed, lay him on his back and raise his legs about 6-8 inches. If the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.  Loosen and remove heavy clothing.  Have the person drink some cool water (a small cup every 15 minutes) if he is not feeling sick to his stomach.  Try to cool the person by fanning him. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water or wet cloth.  If the person does not feel better in a few minutes call for emergency help (ambulance or 911.) If heat exhaustion is not treated, the illness may advance to heat stroke.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Stroke Signs, Symptoms and Response IllnessSigns and Symptoms Heat stroke  Dry, pale skin,  Sweating may still be present  Nausea and vomiting  Hot, red skin (looks like sunburn)  Mood changes, irritability, confusion, and not making any sense  Seizures or fits  Collapse (will not respond)  High temperature (104° F or higher)

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Stroke Response Call for emergency help (ambulance or 911)  Move the person to a cool, shaded area. Don’t leave the person alone. Lay him on his back and if the person is having seizures, remove objects close to him so he won’t hit them. If the person is sick to his stomach, lay him on his side.  Remove heavy and outer clothing.  Have the person drink small amounts of cool water if he is alert enough to drink anything and not feeling sick to his stomach.  Try to cool the person by fanning him or her. Cool the skin with a cool spray mist of water, wet cloth, or wet sheet.  If ice is available, place ice packs in armpits and groin area.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Heat Exhaustion of Heat Stroke? How do you tell the difference? Telling difference is mental confusion/disorientation in ALL heat stroke victims. You can ask these 3 questions "What is your name?" 2. 2."What day is this?" 3. 3."Where are we?" If a worker can’t answer these questions, assume it is heat stroke.

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence 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   Work smart   Acclimate   Wear appropriate clothing   Take regular breaks   Keep an eye on your buddy!

® ® Striving For Safety Excellence Questions