Heat Illness can be a matter of life and death. Many workers die from heat stroke every summer and every heat related death is preventable. When heat stroke doesn’t kill immediately, it begins shutting down major bodily organs causing acute damage to the heart, liver, kidney, muscle damage, nervous system problems, and blood disorders. Workers who suffer from heat exhaustion are at greater risk of having an accident, since they are less alert and can be confused. Below you will find warning signs for the two heat illnesses.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or Vomiting (Seek help right away)
- Weakness
- Sweaty Skin
- Fast heartbeat
- Cramps
Signs of Heat Stroke:
- High temperature
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Convulsions
-
Red, hot, dry skin
- Advise your team of how to be prevent heat illness by exercising the following:
- Important to drink small quantities of water often
- Wear a hat and light-colored clothing
- Know your job sites address in case you need to call 911 ( remind team members where MEI’s project’s safety binder can be found)
- Watch out for each other
- Rest under shade (shade shall be present when the temperature exceeds 80 degrees fahrenheit). §3395. Heat Illness Prevention on https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3395.html
- Implement high-heat procedures when the temperature equals or exceeds 95 degrees fahrenheit.
